by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Florida ranks #1 of 99 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Florida ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 63% six-year graduation rate and $74,169 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Florida, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **99** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 99 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.
University Of Florida leads the 99 ranked colleges in Florida, followed by Florida State University (#2) and University Of Miami (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Florida. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Median early-career earnings reach $58,388. University Of Florida students take on a median of $17,669 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Florida State University, which ranked #2 this year. Florida State University is a public school based in Tallahassee, FL. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, 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.
Out of the 99 colleges in Florida in this year's ranking, University Of Miami landed the #3 spot. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $57,234. University Of Miami students take on a median of $17,750 in debt.
Out of the 99 colleges in Florida in this year's ranking, University Of Central Florida landed the #4 spot. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,790. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place in Florida. Based 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%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Median early-career earnings reach $52,885. Typical student debt is $21,829.
University Of Florida Online ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. The median student debt is $17,784.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Daytona Beach, FL. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $44,074. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,246 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $22,845.
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best colleges in Florida. This public school is set in Jacksonville, FL. University Of North Florida graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,208. University Of North Florida students take on a median of $18,523 in debt.
The University Of Tampa came in at #9 in this year's ranking. The University Of Tampa is a private not-for-profit school based in Tampa, FL. About 64% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,408. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,401. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete a degree here.
Florida International University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,517. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans.
Florida Polytechnic University placed #11 among the best colleges in Florida. Located in Lakeland, FL, Florida Polytechnic University is a public institution. Florida Polytechnic University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $21,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,823 early in their careers. Florida Polytechnic University students take on a median of $7,500 in debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Fort Myers, FL, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,726. Typical student debt is $20,015.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #13 spot in Florida this year. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Nova Southeastern University graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,595. Typical student debt is $25,021.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Florida Atlantic University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,340. Typical student debt is $20,212.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide landed the #15 spot in Florida this year. Located in Daytona Beach, FL, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 23% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Early-career graduates earn a median of $76,517. Graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans.
Jacksonville University placed #16 among the best colleges in Florida. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville University is a private not-for-profit institution. Jacksonville University graduates 51% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,619.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida landed the #17 spot in Florida this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Florida is a private for-profit school based in Jacksonville, FL. About 33% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,680. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,188. Typical student debt is $39,146.
Florida Southern College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lakeland, FL. Florida Southern College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,665. Florida Southern College students take on a median of $25,357 in debt.
Ringling College Of Art And Design placed #19 among the best colleges in Florida. This private not-for-profit school is set in Sarasota, FL. About 72% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,900. Median early-career earnings reach $27,417. Typical student debt is $27,000.
Rollins College landed the #20 spot in Florida this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. Rollins College graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. Median early-career earnings reach $40,403. Rollins College students take on a median of $26,203 in debt.
The University Of West Florida did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,141. The median student debt is $19,677.
West Coast University Miami ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Doral, FL, West Coast University Miami is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,317. Early-career graduates earn a median of $95,859. Graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans.
Stetson University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Stetson University is a private not-for-profit school based in DeLand, FL. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,410. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,839 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,382.
Adventist University Of Health Sciences placed #24 among the best colleges in Florida. Adventist University Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Orlando, FL. Adventist University Of Health Sciences graduates 37% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,420 in tuition and fees. Adventist University Of Health Sciences graduates report median early-career earnings of $86,163. Adventist University Of Health Sciences students take on a median of $28,333 in debt.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #25 among the best colleges in Florida. Located in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $69,878. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete a degree here.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 99 in Florida. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.