by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #2 place for value. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,139. Early-career value graduates make about $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Miami Dade College one of the best values for value. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New College Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. New College Of Florida is a small public school located in the city of Sarasota. In-state tuition and fees average $6,916, while out-of-state students pay about $29,944. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,407. Value graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $26,626 early in their careers. Set against $17,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Value graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Value graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $2,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,952. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,074. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $70,246 early in their careers. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.