2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Florida
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Florida
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
For return on investment in general studies, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $30,676 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The Baptist College Of Florida one of the best values for general studies. The Baptist College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Graceville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,000. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,916. General Studies graduates of The Baptist College Of Florida earn a median of $34,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,824 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $38,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Southeastern University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $19,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $31,000. General Studies graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $28,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,650. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $24,787. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach generally make around $54,317. Set against $24,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College Of Florida came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Trinity, Trinity College Of Florida is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,300 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $32,465 ten years out. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $28,122. Set against $26,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Miami came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $50,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
