by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for value in Florida. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Value graduates carry a median of $24,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,142. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Miami Dade College earned it the #3 place for value. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Florida State College earned it the #4 place for value. Eastern Florida State College is a large public school located in the city of Melbourne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,791, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,123 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Eastern Florida State College earn a median of $44,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,123 median debt.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
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Edison State College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College placed #7 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,518. 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 placed #8 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Value graduates carry a median of $19,046 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $28,173. That is a strong return on a $19,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Value graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Value graduates carry a median of $20,693 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earned the #11 position for value in value this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daytona Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,097. Value graduates carry a median of $20,787 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $94,550. Set against $20,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide admits about 58% of applicants.
Broward College earned the #12 position for value in value this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,328. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Tampa earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,408 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,191. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $45,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.