Best Online Business Administration Programs in Fort Walton Beach, FL (2026)
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of about 20,956. The city’s median household income is $66,556 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited business administration programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach, with tuition ranging from $2,348 to $9,718 per year. In the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area, the top-earning business administration-related role is Financial Manager at a median $129,380 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Business Administration Schools to Fort Walton Beach
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer business administration programs. Distances are calculated from Fort Walton Beach city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 10.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | 34.9 mi | $2,348 - $9,718 | – |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 36.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| George Stone Technical College | Pensacola, FL | 40.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | 55.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Florida schools on the Florida business administration page.
Business Administration Wages Near Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is part of the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metro area (BLS area code 18880). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Florida statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $94,990 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $97,928 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $74,640 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $76,948 |
| Financial Manager | $129,380 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $133,381 |
| Human Resources Manager | $117,190 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $120,814 |
| Management Analyst | $101,440 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $104,577 |
| Project Management Specialist | $98,120 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $101,155 |
| Accountant or Auditor | $77,440 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $79,835 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $70,010 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $72,175 |
| Office and Administrative Support Supervisor | $61,010 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $62,897 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Fort Walton Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,956 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $66,556 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.8% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.0 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Business Administration-related employment in Okaloosa County | 2,146 workers, 483 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Fort Walton Beach-Area Cities With Business Administration Programs
- Crestview, FL – 22.5 mi away (36,433 pop)
- Pensacola, FL – 33.9 mi away (352,187 pop)
- Lynn Haven, FL – 59.9 mi away (20,850 pop)
- Panama City, FL – 61.9 mi away (147,788 pop)
- Prichard, AL – 93.0 mi away (22,185 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited business administration programs are near Fort Walton Beach, FL?
Our directory lists 5 business administration programs within 100 miles of Fort Walton Beach. The closest is Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL (10.3 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Gulf Coast State College (55.8 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying business administration roles near Fort Walton Beach?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying business administration-related roles near Fort Walton Beach are: Financial Manager ($129,380), Human Resources Manager ($117,190), Management Analyst ($101,440). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Florida statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Crestview instead of Fort Walton Beach?
Crestview, FL is 22.5 miles from Fort Walton Beach and has its own set of local business administration programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Fort Walton Beach an affordable place to study business administration?
Fort Walton Beach’s median household income of $66,556 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Fort Walton Beach while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Florida public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
- Online Business Administration Programs in Florida
- Main Business Administration Degree Guide
- Business Administration Programs by State
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