by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Value graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,142. Early-career value graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Value graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Value graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,791, while out-of-state students pay about $10,976. Value graduates carry a median of $18,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $44,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Edison State College one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,356. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for value. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Value graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Palm Beach State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,518 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,046. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $28,173. That is a strong return on a $19,046 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for value value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Broward College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. 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, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,056. Value graduates carry a median of $30,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $32,462. That is a strong return on a $30,326 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tampa ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,408. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. Set against $25,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.