2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Florida
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Florida? We have ranked 336 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree analyzed 34 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Florida
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best-value Graduate Degrees school in Florida. Located in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,746 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
You'll get strong value at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #2 this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public school based in Fort Myers, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,560. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%. Read more about Florida Gulf Coast University
Out of the 34 schools in Florida in this year's value ranking, University Of Central Florida landed the #3 spot. Set in Orlando, FL, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. University Of Central Florida alumni report median earnings of $58,308 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida has an acceptance rate of 40%. Get the full University Of Central Florida report
University Of Florida came in at #4 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Florida. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
You'll get strong value at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #5 this year. The University Of West Florida is a public school based in Pensacola, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $19,677. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,137 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants. See the full The University Of West Florida profile
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Tampa, FL, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $57,743 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants. See the full University Of South Florida Main Campus profile
Florida State University placed #7 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $20,488. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on Florida State University
University Of North Florida placed #8 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. This public school is set in Jacksonville, FL. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,523. University Of North Florida alumni report median earnings of $56,343 a decade after entry. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida has an acceptance rate of 53%. Get the full University Of North Florida report
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Miami, FL, Florida International University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $19,349. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. See the full Florida International University profile
Southeastern University landed the #10 spot for value in Florida this year. Set in Lakeland, FL, Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,950 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,460. Median earnings reach $46,744 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,460 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Southeastern University report
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,824. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,349. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 21% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University
The University Of Tampa landed the #11 spot for value in Florida this year. Set in Tampa, FL, The University Of Tampa is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. The University Of Tampa Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,191 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,436 ten years after entry. Set against $25,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tampa has an acceptance rate of 40%. See the full The University Of Tampa profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit school based in Daytona Beach, FL. Students from in state pay about $44,074 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,845 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $84,131 ten years out. Set against $22,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach has an acceptance rate of 65%. Read the full report on Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Jacksonville University landed the #14 spot for value in Florida this year. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,150. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,619. Median earnings reach $68,010 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted. More on Jacksonville University
Florida Institute Of Technology Online ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology Online is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,780. Students borrow a median of $38,188 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,137. That is a strong return on a $38,188 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology Online has an acceptance rate of 40%. See the full Florida Institute Of Technology Online profile
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in West Palm Beach, FL, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,787 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,232 ten years out. Set against $24,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
Saint Thomas University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Saint Thomas University is a private not-for-profit school based in Miami Gardens, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $34,770. Saint Thomas University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $24,955 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Saint Thomas University report
Hodges University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Hodges University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Myers, FL. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,762. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,052. Set against $29,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Hodges University
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for value in Florida this year. Located in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,900. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $32,114. Florida Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $43,137 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 58%. More on Florida Institute Of Technology
Florida Southern College placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Based in Lakeland, FL, Florida Southern College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,040. Graduates carry a median of $25,357 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,294 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 64% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Florida Southern College report
Devry University Florida placed #21 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Based in Orlando, FL, Devry University Florida is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,008 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $46,249 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Devry University Florida alumni report median earnings of $45,987 a decade after entry. Set against $46,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Devry University Florida
Stetson University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in DeLand, FL, Stetson University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,382. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,642. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Stetson University report
Lynn University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boca Raton, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,480. Graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. Lynn University alumni report median earnings of $49,006 a decade after entry. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lynn University admits about 74% of applicants. Read more about Lynn University
Saint Leo University placed #24 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Leo, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,000. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $32,116. Median earnings reach $48,364 ten years out. Set against $32,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Leo University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Get the full Saint Leo University report
Barry University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Barry University is a private not-for-profit school based in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,966 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barry University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on Barry University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Florida
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Nova Southeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Median earnings reach $59,209 ten years out. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Nova Southeastern University report
Florida National University Main Campus landed the #27 spot for value in Florida this year. Florida National University Main Campus is a private for-profit school based in Hialeah, FL. Students from in state pay about $17,368 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,884. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Florida National University Main Campus report
Strayer University Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Tampa, FL, Strayer University Florida is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Strayer University Florida Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $47,631 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,092 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Strayer University Florida
Rollins College placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Rollins College is a private not-for-profit school based in Winter Park, FL. Students from in state pay about $60,580 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,203. Median earnings reach $58,295 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rollins College has an acceptance rate of 48%. Read more about Rollins College
Full Sail University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Full Sail University is a private for-profit school based in Winter Park, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,906. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $30,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,219 ten years after entry. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Full Sail University profile
University Of Miami ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school based in Coral Gables, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $17,750. University Of Miami alumni report median earnings of $75,328 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%. Read the full report on University Of Miami
Everglades University landed the #32 spot for value in Florida this year. Set in Boca Raton, FL, Everglades University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,680 in tuition and fees. Everglades University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $48,300 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,597 ten years after entry. Set against $48,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Everglades University
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #33 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,056. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $36,416 in debt. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale alumni report median earnings of $39,696 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $36,416 median debt. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Webber International University placed #34 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. This private not-for-profit school is set in Babson Park, FL. Students from in state pay about $33,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,606. That is a strong return on a $26,310 median debt. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. More on Webber International University
Florida Career College Miami placed #35 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Read the full report on Florida Career College Miami
Florida Gateway College landed the #36 spot for value in Florida this year. Read the full report on Florida Gateway College
Herzing University Winter Park placed #37 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Read the full report on Herzing University Winter Park
Adrian H Wallace Barber Academy landed the #38 spot for value in Florida this year. See the full Adrian H Wallace Barber Academy profile
Arizona College Of Nursing Fort Lauderdale placed #39 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. Get the full Arizona College Of Nursing Fort Lauderdale report
Compu Med Vocational Careers Corp landed the #40 spot for value in Florida this year. Read the full report on Compu Med Vocational Careers Corp
Galen Health Institutes Sarasota landed the #41 spot for value in Florida this year. Read more about Galen Health Institutes Sarasota
South University Tampa placed #42 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. More on South University Tampa
Hobe Sound Bible College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Hobe Sound Bible College
Ultrasound Medical Institute ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Ultrasound Medical Institute report
Benes Career Academy ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Benes Career Academy
The Beauty Institute West Palm Beach came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about The Beauty Institute West Palm Beach
First Coast Technical College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on First Coast Technical College
Hillsborough Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Hillsborough Community College report
Pets Playground Grooming School placed #49 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Florida. More on Pets Playground Grooming School
Polk State College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Polk State College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 34 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 336 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).