2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Florida
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Florida
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,699 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,069. Set against $13,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #2 place for liberal arts general studies. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $30,678. Set against $10,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,660 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $43,822. Set against $17,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Chipola College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $20,678. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gulf Coast State College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Gulf Coast State College earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
North Florida Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,902. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Florida Gateway College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Florida Gateway College earn a median of $21,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $30,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Indian River State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $25,578. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New College Of Florida landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, with out-of-state students paying around $29,944. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,314. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $20,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
South Florida State College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,908. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $20,378. That is a strong return on a $5,908 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,155, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pasco Hernando Community College generally make around $27,253. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,905. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Students borrow a median of $6,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $24,605. That is a strong return on a $6,750 median debt.
Lake Sumter Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Leesburg, Lake Sumter Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,292, with out-of-state students paying around $13,276. Students borrow a median of $6,822 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lake Sumter Community College generally make around $23,608. Set against $6,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,771. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $31,140 early in their careers. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Edison State College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $27,740 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,377 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Saint Johns River State College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Palatka, Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Saint Johns River State College generally make around $26,738. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Daytona State College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $2,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $25,467. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
