2027 Best Value Education Schools in Florida
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Indian River State College, our #1 best value for education in Florida. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,784. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,538. That is a strong return on a $19,956 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,671. Education graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $52,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,671 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,340. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #6 among the best values for education. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
University Of Florida earned the #7 position for value in education this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,608 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $52,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
South Florida State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. South Florida State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Avon Park. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Students borrow a median of $8,204 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $45,639. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #9 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Education graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans. Education graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $44,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #10 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $45,008. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $45,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Edison State College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $51,448. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Florida Gateway College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,100, compared with $11,747 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,669. Education graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $41,947 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Daytona State College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Education graduates carry a median of $17,308 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,869. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Johns River State College placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Students borrow a median of $12,956 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Education graduates carry a median of $26,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $56,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,774 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $46,776 early in their careers. Set against $18,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Palm Beach State College landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,725. Education graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $28,641 early in their careers. Set against $6,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tallahassee Community College landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Education graduates carry a median of $16,722 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $25,628. Set against $16,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,449. Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,449 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Polk State College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $2,694, while out-of-state students pay about $9,818. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
The University Of West Florida earned the #22 position for value in education this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $52,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #23 for value in education this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Education graduates carry a median of $18,419 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $48,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida earned the #24 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,466 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Education graduates carry a median of $15,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,193. That is a strong return on a $15,615 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
