2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Florida
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,699 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,699 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $10,909 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Seminole State College Of Florida, which ranked #3. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $27,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $26,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chipola College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $20,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of North Florida Community College earn a median of $29,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $28,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gateway College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $21,925 early in their careers. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,822. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $30,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
New College Of Florida earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,916, while out-of-state students pay about $29,944. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $20,395. That is a strong return on a $15,314 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
South Florida State College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,908. Liberal Arts graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $20,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of New Port Richey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,155, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $25,905. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $24,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Sumter Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Leesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,822. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lake Sumter Community College generally make around $23,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $26,771. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Saint Johns River State College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. In-state tuition and fees average $2,591, while out-of-state students pay about $9,334. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $26,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,377 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $29,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,377 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Edison State College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $27,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Daytona State College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,994 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Daytona State College earn a median of $28,917 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tallahassee Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,467. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
