by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Florida, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **45** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 45 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Florida to be the best college in Florida. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,388. University Of Florida students take on a median of $17,669 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Florida State University earned it the #2 place in Florida. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans.
University Of Central Florida came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Florida. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Florida graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,790. The median student debt is $21,620.
The strong outcomes at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place in Florida. Located in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,885. Typical student debt is $21,829.
The strong outcomes at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #5 place in Florida. This public school is set in Fort Myers, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,726. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete a degree here.
University Of North Florida did well this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Jacksonville, FL. University Of North Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete a degree here.
Florida Polytechnic University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Lakeland, FL, Florida Polytechnic University is a public institution. Florida Polytechnic University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, compared with $21,004 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $64,823. Graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans.
The University Of West Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Pensacola, FL, The University Of West Florida is a public institution. The University Of West Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. The University Of West Florida graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,141. The University Of West Florida students take on a median of $19,677 in debt.
University Of Florida Online ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. University Of Florida Online is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,822. Graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans.
Adventist University Of Health Sciences came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Orlando, FL, Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,420 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $86,163. Adventist University Of Health Sciences students take on a median of $28,333 in debt.
Florida International University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Florida International University is a public school based in Miami, FL. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Florida International University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,517. Typical student debt is $19,349.
Florida Atlantic University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,340. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete a degree here.
Edison State College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Edison State College is a public school based in Fort Myers, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,597. Edison State College students take on a median of $13,356 in debt.
Broward College placed #14 among the best colleges in Florida. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Broward College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, with out-of-state students paying around $8,952. Broward College graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,328. Typical student debt is $13,110.
Palm Beach State College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Lake Worth, FL, Palm Beach State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Palm Beach State College graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,501. Students borrow a median of $12,518 to complete a degree here.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide graduates 23% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,097. Early-career graduates earn a median of $76,517. Typical student debt is $20,787.
Florida College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Temple Terrace, FL. Florida College posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,360. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,888. Typical student debt is $16,134.
Galen Health Institutes Gainesville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Gainesville, FL. Students from in state pay about $17,048 in tuition and fees.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #19 spot in Florida this year. Set in Sanford, FL, Seminole State College Of Florida is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $18,419.
Miami Dade College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Miami, FL, Miami Dade College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Miami Dade College graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,267. Graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit school based in Daytona Beach, FL. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,074. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,246. Graduates carry a median of $22,845 in student loans.
West Coast University Miami came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Doral, FL, West Coast University Miami is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Miami graduates 33% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,317. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $95,859. Typical student debt is $38,145.
Hillsborough Community College placed #23 among the best colleges in Florida. Based in Tampa, FL, Hillsborough Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Hillsborough Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,101. Graduates carry a median of $16,142 in student loans.
Santa Fe College landed the #24 spot in Florida this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, Santa Fe College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,563, compared with $9,189 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $45,407. The median student debt is $17,558.
Polk State College landed the #25 spot in Florida this year. Set in Winter Haven, FL, Polk State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,499. Graduates carry a median of $14,806 in student loans.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.