Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Florida
- 50
- Schools
- $43,183
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $6,898
- Avg. Net Price
- $13,313
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $30,259 at the low end to $71,588 at the top. That 2.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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North Florida College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $33,929 against $804 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is North Florida College, at $804 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Florida graduates 91% of its students, well above the 56% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Lake-Sumter State College: graduates owe only 0.17× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to St Petersburg College ($42,557 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Florida ($71,588). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. North Florida College ($804/yr) and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University ($13,739/yr) produce graduates earning $33,929 and $44,349 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $12,935 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, North Florida College outperforms University of Florida: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with North Florida College and University of Florida. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $41K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 St Petersburg College #1 overall | $42,557 ▼ -1% vs avg | $1,471 | 38% | 86 |
| 2 University of Florida #2 overall | $71,588 ▲ +66% vs avg | $6,541 | 91% | 86 |
| 3 University of Florida-Online #3 overall | $71,588 ▲ +66% vs avg | $4,815 | 81% | 85 |
| $37,378 ▼ -13% vs avg | $1,133 | 57% | 82 | |
| $39,990 ▼ -7% vs avg | $3,877 | 49% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Florida
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $43,183 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $6,898.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: North Florida College — Net Price: $804 | Graduation Rate: 61%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Florida — 91% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Florida — Median alumni earnings: $71,588
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$40,292
Median earnings (10yr)
53%
Median graduation rate
$6,491
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 53%. Median graduate earnings reach $40,292 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $6,491 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $12,125. Some 34% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $6,491 and graduates earn a median of $40,292. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
St Petersburg College lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,557 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,471 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
University of Florida lands at #2 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (76/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 66% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,541 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Florida-Online lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 66% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Chipola College lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (99/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $37,378 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
South Florida State College lands at #5 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,990 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,877 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Pensacola State College lands at #6 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $36,739 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,957 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
New College of Florida lands at #7 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $48,082 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,195 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Florida State College at Jacksonville lands at #8 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,244 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,128 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Indian River State College lands at #9 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,315 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Northwest Florida State College lands at #10 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,664 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,571 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Florida International University lands at #11 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Gulf Coast State College lands at #12 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,359 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,709 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Florida Atlantic University lands at #13 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (69/100). Graduates earn a median $56,746 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,752 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of South Florida lands at #14 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $57,743 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,812 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Florida Gateway College lands at #15 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $37,894 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Hillsborough College lands at #16 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $40,782 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,861 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of West Florida lands at #17 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $49,137 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,364 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
North Florida College lands at #18 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (99/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $33,929 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $804 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Eastern Florida State College lands at #19 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $37,195 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,440 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Pasco-Hernando State College lands at #20 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,903 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of North Florida lands at #21 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
University of Central Florida lands at #22 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $58,308 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,411 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Saint Johns River State College lands at #23 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,728 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,135 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Miami Dade College lands at #24 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $40,654 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,463 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Lake-Sumter State College lands at #25 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,876 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,855 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Florida State University lands at #26 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $61,675 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,297 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Radford M Locklin Technical College lands at #27 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (99/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (20/100). Graduates earn a median $35,997 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $987 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Daytona State College lands at #28 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $37,096 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,177 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Erwin Technical College lands at #29 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (53/100). Graduates earn a median $37,966 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,796 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Manatee Technical College lands at #30 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (30/100). Graduates earn a median $38,129 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,808 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Baptist University of Florida lands at #31 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $42,836 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,372 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Florida SouthWestern State College lands at #32 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $43,421 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,247 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Seminole State College of Florida lands at #33 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $41,733 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,970 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Palm Beach State College lands at #34 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $41,923 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Florida Gulf Coast University lands at #35 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $54,560 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,568 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Cape Coral Technical College lands at #36 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (98/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (31/100). Graduates earn a median $36,080 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,463 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Polk State College lands at #37 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $40,624 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,427 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Tallahassee State College lands at #38 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,561 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,781 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Bethune-Cookman University lands at #39 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,518 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,030 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Tallahassee, FL · 21% accepted · $13,739 net
Why it ranks #40
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University lands at #40 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,739 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Charlotte Technical College lands at #41 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,349 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,874 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Fred K Marchman Technical College lands at #42 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (15/100). Graduates earn a median $30,259 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,881 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
SABER College lands at #43 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (57/100). Graduates earn a median $40,816 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,009 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Santa Fe College lands at #44 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,631 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,098 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Sheridan Technical College lands at #45 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (27/100). Graduates earn a median $33,166 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,677 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Valencia College lands at #46 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $40,594 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,037 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Osceola Technical College lands at #47 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (36/100). Graduates earn a median $38,484 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,186 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College lands at #48 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (27/100). Graduates earn a median $34,107 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,243 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
College of Central Florida lands at #49 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,203 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,088 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Marion Technical College lands at #50 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $36,095 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,831 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
The most affordable colleges in Florida present a compelling option for students and families looking to minimize college expenses. With net prices often under $5,000 at some institutions, these schools are drawing attention in an era where student debt is a growing concern.
What sets the schools on this list apart is their balance of low net price, solid graduation rates, and decent earning potential. For instance, the University of Florida-Online not only boasts a low net price of $4,815 but also an impressive 81% graduation rate and $71,588 in average earnings post-graduation. This combination is critical as families weigh financial investments against future returns.
Take St. Petersburg College and New College of Florida as examples. St. Petersburg has a very low net price of $1,471 but a graduation rate of only 38%, while New College has a higher net price of $7,195 but a graduation rate of 64%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs families face: choosing a school with lower costs versus one that may provide better completion and earning prospects.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 30 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Florida International University leads the group at 5.2%, with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (3.3%) and Florida Atlantic University (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 15.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. University of West Florida enrolls the most, at 27.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 14.3% across the list, peaking at 36% at University of Central Florida.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.11, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and University of North Florida is highest at 1.58.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals that the University of Florida-Online outperforms St. Petersburg College significantly in terms of graduation rates and earning potential. With an 81% graduation rate compared to St. Petersburg's 38%, graduates from the University of Florida-Online are more likely to secure higher earnings of $71,588 versus St. Petersburg’s $42,557.
As you consider these 50 institutions, reflect on your priorities. Low net price is attractive, but weigh that against factors like graduation rates, potential earnings, and your career goals. For example, if your field of interest has a high earning potential, a school with a slightly higher cost but better graduation outcomes may be worth the investment.
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of finding a college that leads to stable life outcomes. A student from the University of Florida-Online may graduate with significantly less debt and higher earnings, setting a solid foundation for financial independence. One family’s decision to prioritize affordability can shape their future for years to come.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Florida: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Florida ranking? +
St Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $42,557 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 38% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Florida posts the highest median earnings on this list: $71,588 ten years after enrollment, well above the $43,183 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, North Florida College leads: graduates earn a median $33,929 against net price of about $804 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Florida has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 91%, compared with a 56% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $6,898 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. North Florida College is among the most affordable at roughly $804. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Florida ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
