# Most Affordable Colleges in Florida

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

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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

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.

## Key Findings

- The University of Florida-Online has an average earning of $71,588, the highest on this list.
- St. Petersburg College has the lowest net price at just $1,471, but its graduation rate is only 38%.
- The average graduation rate of the top five schools is 65%, significantly above the overall average of 56%.
- Indian River State College has the lowest debt burden among the top five at $8,023.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [St Petersburg College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-petersburg-college) | St. Petersburg, FL | 38% | $42,557 | $1,471 | $16,868 | 0.4x |
| 2 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 3 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Hillsborough Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hillsborough-community-college) | Tampa, FL | 34% | $40,782 | $3,861 | $9,762 | 0.24x |
| 5 | [Chipola College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chipola-college) | Marianna, FL | 57% | $37,378 | $1,133 | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | [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 |
| 7 | [Pensacola State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pensacola-state-college) | Pensacola, FL | 39% | $36,739 | $3,957 | $7,500 | 0.2x |
| 8 | [New College of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-college-of-florida) | Sarasota, FL | 64% | $48,082 | $7,195 | $17,375 | 0.36x |
| 9 | [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 |
| 10 | [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 |
| 11 | [Northwest Florida State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-florida-state-college) | Niceville, FL | 41% | $39,664 | $4,571 | $7,932 | 0.2x |
| 12 | [Florida International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-international-university) | Miami, FL | 74% | $60,249 | $9,288 | $16,500 | 0.27x |
| 13 | [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 |
| 14 | [Florida Atlantic University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-atlantic-university) | Boca Raton, FL | 63% | $56,746 | $8,752 | $17,236 | 0.3x |
| 15 | [University of South Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-south-florida) | Tampa, FL | 76% | $57,743 | $9,812 | $17,988 | 0.31x |
| 16 | [Florida Gateway College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-gateway-college) | Lake City, FL | 55% | $37,894 | $5,364 | $6,992 | 0.18x |
| 17 | [University of West Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-florida) | Pensacola, FL | 60% | $49,137 | $9,364 | $16,624 | 0.34x |
| 18 | [North Florida College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-florida-college) | Madison, FL | 61% | $33,929 | $804 | N/A | N/A |
| 19 | [Eastern Florida State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-florida-state-college) | Melbourne, FL | 52% | $37,195 | $6,440 | $12,250 | 0.33x |
| 20 | [Pasco-Hernando State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pasco-hernando-state-college) | New Port Richey, FL | 42% | $39,903 | $5,203 | $9,535 | 0.24x |
| 21 | [University of North Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-florida) | Jacksonville, FL | 69% | $56,343 | $10,154 | $15,531 | 0.28x |
| 22 | [University of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida) | Orlando, FL | 77% | $58,308 | $10,411 | $18,190 | 0.31x |
| 23 | [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 |
| 24 | [Miami Dade College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miami-dade-college) | Miami, FL | 45% | $40,654 | $5,463 | $9,252 | 0.23x |
| 25 | [Lake-Sumter State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-sumter-state-college) | Leesburg, FL | 46% | $39,876 | $5,855 | $6,750 | 0.17x |
| 26 | [Florida State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-state-university) | Tallahassee, FL | 84% | $61,675 | $11,297 | $18,000 | 0.29x |
| 27 | [Radford M Locklin Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/radford-m-locklin-technical-college) | Milton, FL | 65% | $35,997 | $987 | N/A | N/A |
| 28 | [Daytona State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/daytona-state-college) | Daytona Beach, FL | 42% | $37,096 | $7,177 | $8,250 | 0.22x |
| 29 | [Erwin Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/erwin-technical-college) | Tampa, FL | 80% | $37,966 | $2,796 | N/A | N/A |
| 30 | [Manatee Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/manatee-technical-college) | Bradenton, FL | 72% | $38,129 | $1,808 | N/A | N/A |
| 31 | [Baptist University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baptist-university-of-florida) | Graceville, FL | 62% | $42,836 | $10,372 | $23,590 | 0.55x |
| 32 | [Florida SouthWestern State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/florida-southwestern-state-college) | Fort Myers, FL | 39% | $43,421 | $7,247 | $8,000 | 0.18x |
| 33 | [Seminole State College of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/seminole-state-college-of-florida) | Sanford, FL | 42% | $41,733 | $8,970 | $11,047 | 0.26x |
| 34 | [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 |
| 35 | [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 |
| 36 | [Cape Coral Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cape-coral-technical-college) | Cape Coral, FL | 85% | $36,080 | $1,463 | N/A | N/A |
| 37 | [Polk State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/polk-state-college) | Winter Haven, FL | 35% | $40,624 | $9,427 | $10,076 | 0.25x |
| 38 | [Tallahassee State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tallahassee-state-college) | Tallahassee, FL | 37% | $37,561 | $7,781 | $7,668 | 0.2x |
| 39 | [Bethune-Cookman University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bethune-cookman-university) | Daytona Beach, FL | 29% | $38,518 | $12,030 | $31,000 | 0.8x |
| 40 | [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 |
| 41 | [Charlotte Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/charlotte-technical-college) | Port Charlotte, FL | 59% | $36,349 | $5,874 | N/A | N/A |
| 42 | [Fred K Marchman Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fred-k-marchman-technical-college) | New Port Richey, FL | 69% | $30,259 | $4,881 | N/A | N/A |
| 43 | [SABER College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saber-college) | Miami, FL | 70% | $40,816 | $11,009 | $22,000 | 0.54x |
| 44 | [Santa Fe College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/santa-fe-college) | Gainesville, FL | 53% | $41,631 | $11,098 | $11,310 | 0.27x |
| 45 | [Sheridan Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sheridan-technical-college) | Hollywood, FL | 70% | $33,166 | $6,677 | N/A | N/A |
| 46 | [Valencia College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valencia-college) | Orlando, FL | 46% | $40,594 | $12,037 | $9,300 | 0.23x |
| 47 | [Osceola Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/osceola-technical-college) | Kissimmee, FL | 50% | $38,484 | $6,186 | N/A | N/A |
| 48 | [Lindsey Hopkins Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lindsey-hopkins-technical-college) | Miami, FL | 52% | $34,107 | $6,243 | N/A | N/A |
| 49 | [College of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-central-florida) | Ocala, FL | 44% | $38,203 | $12,088 | $13,000 | 0.34x |
| 50 | [Marion Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marion-technical-college-fl) | Ocala, FL | 76% | $36,095 | $8,831 | N/A | N/A |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Florida." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.