2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in economics in Florida. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $15,851. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,111. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $42,314 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for economics. 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,925 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $47,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #5. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $12,754 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $47,344. That is a strong return on a $12,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Florida placed #6 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $41,519. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,948 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #8 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,750. Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,743 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Ave Maria University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. Students from in state pay about $30,198 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,801 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,866. That is a strong return on a $19,801 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Rollins College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,580. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $36,115. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The University Of Tampa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Economics graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $54,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
