2026 Best Value Education Schools in Florida
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat University Of Florida Online this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Education graduates carry a median of $17,779 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $43,822. That is a strong return on a $17,779 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $19,956 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $49,545. That is a strong return on a $19,956 median debt.
Indian River State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,492. Education graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $48,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Chipola College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $8,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,097. Early-career education graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gateway College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the town of Lake City, Florida Gateway College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,747. Education graduates carry a median of $8,669 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,947. That is a strong return on a $8,669 median debt.
Miami Dade College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Education graduates carry a median of $9,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $53,086. Set against $9,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best values for education. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,608. Early-career education graduates make about $52,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,008. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for education. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $18,419 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $48,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Education graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $45,639. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
Northwest Florida State College placed #11 among the best values for education. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $44,340. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. 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 education graduates is $16,142. Early-career education graduates make about $44,101. That is a strong return on a $16,142 median debt.
Edison State College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Edison State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,979 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Education graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $51,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $54,975. Set against $26,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Saint Johns River State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Saint Johns River State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Palatka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,591, compared with $9,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,956 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Saint Johns River State College earn a median of $46,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Daytona State College placed #16 among the best values for education. Daytona State College is a large public school located in the city of Daytona Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,308. Early-career education graduates make about $44,869. Set against $17,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #18 for value in education this year. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,026, while out-of-state students pay about $8,062. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,722. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tallahassee Community College generally make around $25,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Polk State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Polk State College is a large public school located in the city of Winter Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,694, with out-of-state students paying around $9,818. Education graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Polk State College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University came in at #20 for value in education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,774 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $46,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,774 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for education graduates is $20,449. Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $51,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,449 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Palm Beach State College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $6,725. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Palm Beach State College generally make around $28,641. Set against $6,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Education graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $54,632. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Education graduates carry a median of $21,466 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,406. That is a strong return on a $21,466 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of North Florida landed the #25 spot for education value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,615. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,718. Set against $15,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
