2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Florida
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general education schools.
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
University Of Florida Online earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Florida. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,669. General Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,474. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $38,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,755 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $38,392. That is a strong return on a $20,755 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $61,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Saint Leo University came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Saint Leo, Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. Students borrow a median of $32,116 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Leo University generally make around $56,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Leo University admits about 78% of applicants.
Atlantis University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Miami, Atlantis University is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,820. General Education graduates of Atlantis University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. General Education graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $72,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
