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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in Florida

11 Colleges in the United States
$21,675 Avg Student Debt
$55,392 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Florida

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Value Schools

1

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for value in Florida. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,804. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $52,155. Set against $19,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $38,521. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

A rank of #3 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,809 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,735. Set against $31,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $56,031 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

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6

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $54,883. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

7

University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best values for value. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $53,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,212. Set against $22,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for value. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $49,466. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

10

Barry University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,728. Early-career value graduates make about $84,607. Set against $25,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.

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11
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,485. Value graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $61,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $69,710. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.

14
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University earned the #14 position for value in value this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $44,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,391 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,569. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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