# Best Colleges in Florida

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-florida

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Florida

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Florida is home to a diverse array of colleges that cater to different academic interests and career goals. Whether you're considering a traditional campus experience or an online program, these institutions share a commitment to student success, as evidenced by strong graduation rates and post-graduation earnings.

What sets the top schools apart in this list is their ability to combine strong academic outcomes with manageable costs. You'll notice metrics like earnings after graduation, debt levels, and completion rates that reflect each institution's effectiveness at preparing students for the workforce. These factors are crucial to consider when choosing a college, as they can significantly impact your financial future and career mobility.

Take the University of Florida, for instance, which boasts an impressive graduation rate of 91% and average earnings of $71,588, compared to Florida International University, where the graduation rate is 74% and average earnings are lower at $60,249. This contrast highlights how a small difference in graduation rates can translate to significant variations in post-graduation outcomes, providing a compelling reason to explore the details of each school further.

## Key Findings

- University of Florida graduates earn an average of $71,588, the highest in Florida.
- The average graduation rate among the top schools is 86%, significantly above the state average of 54%.
- Florida International University has a lower graduation rate at 74%, which could impact future earnings.
- The net price for attending the University of Florida-Online is just $4,815, making it an affordable option.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [University of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida) | Orlando, FL | 77% | $58,308 | $10,411 | $18,190 | 0.31x |
| 3 | [University of North Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-florida) | Jacksonville, FL | 69% | $56,343 | $10,154 | $15,531 | 0.28x |
| 4 | [Florida State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-state-university) | Tallahassee, FL | 84% | $61,675 | $11,297 | $18,000 | 0.29x |
| 5 | [Florida International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-international-university) | Miami, FL | 74% | $60,249 | $9,288 | $16,500 | 0.27x |
| 6 | [University of South Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-florida) | Tampa, FL | 76% | $57,743 | $9,812 | $17,988 | 0.31x |
| 7 | [Florida Atlantic University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-atlantic-university) | Boca Raton, FL | 63% | $56,746 | $8,752 | $17,236 | 0.3x |
| 8 | [University of West Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-florida) | Pensacola, FL | 60% | $49,137 | $9,364 | $16,624 | 0.34x |
| 9 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 10 | [Florida Gulf Coast University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-gulf-coast-university) | Fort Myers, FL | 57% | $54,560 | $12,568 | $17,622 | 0.32x |
| 11 | [University of Miami](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-miami) | Coral Gables, FL | 84% | $75,328 | $37,244 | $17,500 | 0.23x |
| 12 | [Stetson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stetson-university) | DeLand, FL | 63% | $51,642 | $19,372 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 13 | [Jacksonville University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jacksonville-university) | Jacksonville, FL | 54% | $68,010 | $25,180 | $22,000 | 0.32x |
| 14 | [New College of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-college-of-florida) | Sarasota, FL | 64% | $48,082 | $7,195 | $17,375 | 0.36x |
| 15 | [Florida College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-college) | Temple Terrace, FL | 53% | $43,445 | $23,931 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 16 | [Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university) | Tallahassee, FL | 53% | $44,349 | $13,739 | $23,548 | 0.53x |
| 17 | [Florida Southern College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-southern-college) | Lakeland, FL | 70% | $55,294 | $28,551 | $25,000 | 0.45x |
| 18 | [Rollins College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rollins-college) | Winter Park, FL | 76% | $58,295 | $34,732 | $25,500 | 0.44x |
| 19 | [Saint Leo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-leo-university) | Saint Leo, FL | 47% | $48,364 | $21,293 | $25,278 | 0.52x |
| 20 | [Nova Southeastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nova-southeastern-university) | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 64% | $59,209 | $30,371 | $24,250 | 0.41x |
| 21 | [Palm Beach Atlantic University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/palm-beach-atlantic-university) | West Palm Beach, FL | 57% | $49,232 | $28,354 | $22,500 | 0.46x |
| 22 | [The University of Tampa](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-tampa) | Tampa, FL | 63% | $59,436 | $36,211 | $24,211 | 0.41x |
| 23 | [South Florida State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-florida-state-college) | Avon Park, FL | 49% | $39,990 | $3,877 | $7,368 | 0.18x |
| 24 | [Gulf Coast State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gulf-coast-state-college) | Panama City, FL | 44% | $38,359 | $4,709 | $7,147 | 0.19x |
| 25 | [Saint Johns River State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-johns-river-state-college) | Palatka, FL | 47% | $41,728 | $6,135 | $12,000 | 0.29x |
| 26 | [Southeastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-university) | Lakeland, FL | 43% | $46,744 | $31,942 | $21,500 | 0.46x |
| 27 | [Pensacola State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pensacola-state-college) | Pensacola, FL | 39% | $36,739 | $3,957 | $7,500 | 0.2x |
| 28 | [Indian River State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indian-river-state-college) | Fort Pierce, FL | 44% | $38,315 | $3,815 | $8,023 | 0.21x |
| 29 | [Flagler College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/flagler-college) | Saint Augustine, FL | 56% | $49,483 | $30,525 | $24,250 | 0.49x |
| 30 | [Northwest Florida State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-florida-state-college) | Niceville, FL | 41% | $39,664 | $4,571 | $7,932 | 0.2x |
| 31 | [Palm Beach State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/palm-beach-state-college) | Lake Worth, FL | 41% | $41,923 | $9,182 | $7,081 | 0.17x |
| 32 | [Eckerd College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eckerd-college) | Saint Petersburg, FL | 67% | $51,819 | $38,071 | $27,000 | 0.52x |
| 33 | [Lynn University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lynn-university) | Boca Raton, FL | 52% | $49,006 | $44,089 | $17,940 | 0.37x |
| 34 | [Florida State College at Jacksonville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-state-college-at-jacksonville) | Jacksonville, FL | 35% | $42,244 | $4,128 | $13,562 | 0.32x |
| 35 | [Barry University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barry-university) | Miami, FL | 37% | $55,966 | $22,613 | $26,997 | 0.48x |
| 36 | [Polk State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/polk-state-college) | Winter Haven, FL | 35% | $40,624 | $9,427 | $10,076 | 0.25x |
| 37 | [Eastern Florida State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-florida-state-college) | Melbourne, FL | 52% | $37,195 | $6,440 | $12,250 | 0.33x |
| 38 | [Santa Fe College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/santa-fe-college) | Gainesville, FL | 53% | $41,631 | $11,098 | $11,310 | 0.27x |
| 39 | [Hillsborough Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hillsborough-community-college) | Tampa, FL | 34% | $40,782 | $3,861 | $9,762 | 0.24x |
| 40 | [St Petersburg College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-petersburg-college) | St. Petersburg, FL | 38% | $42,557 | $1,471 | $16,868 | 0.4x |
| 41 | [Broward College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/broward-college) | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 38% | $41,939 | $14,506 | $7,500 | 0.18x |
| 42 | [Baptist University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baptist-university-of-florida) | Graceville, FL | 62% | $42,836 | $10,372 | $23,590 | 0.55x |
| 43 | [Daytona State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/daytona-state-college) | Daytona Beach, FL | 42% | $37,096 | $7,177 | $8,250 | 0.22x |
| 44 | [Florida Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-institute-of-technology) | Melbourne, FL | 64% | $43,137 | $35,639 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 45 | [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide) | Daytona Beach, FL | 21% | $84,131 | $18,725 | $23,666 | 0.28x |
| 46 | [Ringling College of Art and Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ringling-college-of-art-and-design) | Sarasota, FL | 71% | $43,325 | $57,742 | $27,000 | 0.62x |
| 47 | [Chipola College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chipola-college) | Marianna, FL | 57% | $37,378 | $1,133 | N/A | N/A |
| 48 | [Albizu University-Miami](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albizu-university-miami) | Miami, FL | 48% | $41,544 | $19,849 | $5,500 | 0.13x |
| 49 | [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-daytona-beach) | Daytona Beach, FL | 67% | $84,131 | $41,272 | $23,666 | 0.28x |
| 50 | [Tallahassee State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tallahassee-state-college) | Tallahassee, FL | 37% | $37,561 | $7,781 | $7,668 | 0.2x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Florida." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-florida

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.