The University of Florida’s UF Online B.A. in Geography is taught by the same faculty as the on-campus degree, and graduates receive a diploma and transcript that are indistinguishable from a residential student’s. Students can follow the general geography track or choose a specialization in Environmental Geosciences or Medical Geography in Global Health.
For Florida residents, UF Online is the lowest-cost program in our online geography comparison at $129.18 per credit including required fees. UF Online also says U.S. News ranked it the No. 1 online bachelor’s program for 2026.
Program at a Glance
| Degree | B.A. in Geography (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) |
| Tracks | General geography; Environmental Geosciences; Medical Geography in Global Health |
| Credits | 120 |
| Format | Online, mostly asynchronous |
| Start terms | Spring, summer or fall |
| Florida resident tuition | $129.18 per credit including required fees (2025–26) |
| Nonresident tuition | $552.62 per credit including required fees (2025–26) |
| Capstone | GEO 4930 Senior Seminar with a capstone exam and portfolio |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) |
Curriculum
All tracks require a C or better in every major course, at least 18 geography credits taken at UF, STA 2023 statistics and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences foreign language requirement (typically 8 to 10 credits). Course lists come from the UF catalog.
General Geography Track
| Requirement | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | GEO 2200 and 2200L Physical Geography; GEO 2420 or GEO 2500; GEO 3162C; GEO 4930 Senior Seminar | 12 |
| Techniques (choose two) | GIS 3001C, GIS 3043, GIS 4021C, GIS 4037 | 6–8 |
| Regional (choose one) | GEA 2601, GEA 3405 or GEA 3500 | 3 |
| Systematic electives | Geography, GIS and meteorology courses | 12+ |
| Related | STA 2023 Statistics | 3 |
Environmental Geosciences Specialization
This joint program with Geological Sciences adds geology to physical geography: GEO 2200 with lab, GIS 3043, introductory geology (GLY 2010C or 2030C), historical geology (GLY 2100C or 3105C) and GLY 3202C, plus three geography electives and two geology electives. Graduates head toward natural resource management, environmental protection and agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey.
Medical Geography in Global Health Specialization
This specialization draws on one of the department’s signature research areas. Students take GEO 4170, two medical geography courses (from GEO 3452, 3454 and 3427), a GeoAI course (GIS 2002 or GIS 2114), GIS 3043 plus another technique course, a regional course and two geography electives.
How the Online Format Works
- Mostly asynchronous: UF Online says the majority of courses are asynchronous.
- Flexible load: students can take 3 to 6 credits or 15 to 18 credits per term, and can pause for up to two consecutive terms without reapplying.
- Same degree: courses are taught by UF faculty, and the diploma and transcript match the on-campus degree.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
- First-year: at least a 2.5 high school GPA (competitive applicants typically have 3.7 or higher), SAT, ACT or CLT scores for applicants within five years of high school, and 14 academic units.
- Upper-division transfer (60+ credits or an A.A.): a 2.5 overall GPA, plus geography prerequisites such as GEO 2200 and another geography course, or a geography course and STA 2023, each with a C or better.
- Application fee: $30.
| Term | Apply by | Classes start |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | September 14, 2026 (closed) | January 11, 2027 |
| Summer 2027 | January 25, 2027 | May 10, 2027 |
| Fall 2027 | April 26, 2027 | August 19, 2027 |
Source: UF Online application deadlines. UF’s geography department notes that Florida A.A. holders may still need additional general education courses.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
| Per credit (2025–26) | Tuition | Required fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida resident | $111.92 | $17.26 | $129.18 |
| Nonresident | $500.00 | $52.62 | $552.62 |
At these rates, 120 credits would cost about $15,500 for Florida residents and about $66,300 for nonresidents, before optional fees of about $48 per credit. UF Online’s resident rate is set at 75% of standard in-state tuition. Bright Futures can be used at UF Online, and military tuition waivers are available. Source: UF Online tuition and fees.
Faculty and Department
UF’s Department of Geography, founded in 1941, has about 21 core faculty and offers degrees through the Ph.D. Its focus areas include earth system science, medical geography in global health, geospatial analysis and techniques, and sustainability and global environmental change. The department’s research labs study disease patterns, medical geography, spatial networks and GeoAI.
Careers
UF lists careers such as cartographer, coastal zone manager, community developer, environmental education specialist, GIS officer, land-use analyst, landscape architect and zoning investigator. The catalog adds international development, urban and regional planning, environmental consulting, conservation and watershed and coastal planning.
Pros and Considerations
Strengths
- Lowest in-state online rate in our comparison
- Same faculty and diploma as on-campus UF
- Distinctive Medical Geography in Global Health specialization
- Flexible course loads and term breaks
Things to Consider
- Nonresident tuition is more than four times the resident rate
- Foreign language requirement
- Competitive first-year admission
- Fixed application deadlines well before each term
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does UF Online’s geography degree cost?
For 2025–26, tuition plus required fees is $129.18 per credit for Florida residents and $552.62 for nonresidents.
Is a UF Online degree the same as an on-campus UF degree?
Yes. UF says the diploma and transcript are indistinguishable from a residential student’s, and courses are taught by the same faculty.
What specializations does UF Online geography offer?
Students can follow the general track or specialize in Environmental Geosciences or Medical Geography in Global Health.
When can I start UF Online geography?
UF Online admits students for spring, summer and fall. The Summer 2027 deadline is January 25, 2027, and the Fall 2027 deadline is April 26, 2027.
Compare UF with other schools in our online geography degree rankings, or see campus programs in Florida.
Official Sources
We verified this profile against the following school pages in October 2026. Program details change, so confirm current requirements and costs with the school before you apply.
- UF Online B.A. in Geography
- Catalog: Geography (UF Online)
- Catalog: General B.A.
- Catalog: Environmental Geosciences
- Catalog: Medical Geography in Global Health
- UF Online tuition and fees
- UF Online application deadlines
- UF Online flexibility
- UF Online FAQ
- First-year requirements
- Upper-division transfer requirements
- Geography transfer information
- Department of Geography
- Research focus areas
- Geography labs
- UF accreditation