by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Florida? This list ranks 69 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 69 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 69 schools in Florida to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best college for the money in Florida. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median program debt is $17,669. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Florida Online came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Florida. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $17,779 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted.
Out of the 69 schools in Florida in this year's value ranking, Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #3 spot. Set in Jacksonville, FL, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,244. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #4 place in Florida. Set in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt is $18,419. Seminole State College Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $41,733 a decade after entry. Set against $18,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 69 schools in Florida in this year's value ranking, St Petersburg College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in St. Petersburg, FL. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $42,557 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Florida Gateway College landed the #6 spot for value in Florida this year. Set in Lake City, FL, Florida Gateway College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,747. Typical student debt is $8,669. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Students borrow a median of $16,142 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $40,782 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pensacola State College landed the #8 spot for value in Florida this year. Located in Pensacola, FL, Pensacola State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt is $9,191. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,739 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gulf Coast State College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Panama City, FL, Gulf Coast State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $8,286. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,359 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Florida Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. North Florida Community College is a public school based in Madison, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. The median program debt is $7,902. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,929. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chipola College placed #11 among the best values in Florida. Chipola College is a public school based in Marianna, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. The median program debt is $9,097. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,378. Set against $9,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New College Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Sarasota, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,944. Graduates carry a median of $17,407 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,082 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted.
Indian River State College landed the #13 spot for value in Florida this year. Located in Fort Pierce, FL, Indian River State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Indian River State College students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,315 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Avon Park, FL, South Florida State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,165, while out-of-state students pay about $11,859. Typical student debt is $8,204. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,990 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $20,212. Median earnings reach $56,746 ten years out. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Miami Dade College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt is $11,967. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,654 ten years after entry. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasco Hernando Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in New Port Richey, FL, Pasco Hernando Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,155, compared with $12,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,908 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,903. That is a strong return on a $14,908 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. The University Of West Florida is a public school based in Pensacola, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. The University Of West Florida students take on a median of $19,677 in debt. Median earnings reach $49,137 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. The median program debt is $19,349. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University has an acceptance rate of 55%.
Northwest Florida State College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Niceville, FL, Northwest Florida State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,583, while out-of-state students pay about $10,612. Typical student debt is $11,566. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,664. Set against $11,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College landed the #21 spot for value in Florida this year. This public school is set in Fort Myers, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt is $13,356. Edison State College alumni report median earnings of $43,421 a decade after entry. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University students take on a median of $20,488 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $21,829. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 43%.
Lake Sumter Community College landed the #24 spot for value in Florida this year. Located in Leesburg, FL, Lake Sumter Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,292, while out-of-state students pay about $13,276. The median program debt is $10,786. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,876 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Polytechnic University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Florida Polytechnic University is a public school based in Lakeland, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,940, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 69 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.