The Most Affordable Colleges in Florida That Actually Graduate Their Students
Florida Atlantic University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Florida, graduating 64% of students within six years at $6,693 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Florida’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | 64% | $6,693 | $18,482 | 22 |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | Orlando | 75% | $8,872 | $28,657 | 27 |
| 3 | University of South Florida | Tampa | 75% | $10,428 | $21,126 | 26 |
| 4 | Florida State University | Tallahassee | 83% | $11,553 | $26,707 | 29 |
| 5 | University of Florida | Gainesville | 91% | $12,737 | $30,130 | 31 |
| 6 | The University of West Florida | Pensacola | 62% | $9,062 | $24,894 | 24 |
| 7 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville | 68% | $10,364 | $21,930 | 21 |
| 8 | Florida International University | Miami | 74% | $11,333 | $24,438 | 24 |
| 9 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers | 56% | $8,961 | $31,216 | 22 |
| 10 | Florida Polytechnic University | Lakeland | 53% | $8,506 | $19,998 | 28 |
1. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
Florida Atlantic University graduates 64% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,693 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,482. Median ACT: 22.
2. University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
University of Central Florida graduates 75% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,872 per year. Out-of-state students pay $28,657. Median ACT: 27.
3. University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
University of South Florida graduates 75% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,428 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,126. Median ACT: 26.
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
Florida State University graduates 83% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,553 per year. Out-of-state students pay $26,707. Median ACT: 29.
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
University of Florida graduates 91% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,737 per year. Out-of-state students pay $30,130. Median ACT: 31.
6. The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
The University of West Florida graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,062 per year. Out-of-state students pay $24,894. Median ACT: 24.
7. University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
University of North Florida graduates 68% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,364 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,930. Median ACT: 21.
8. Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Florida International University graduates 74% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,333 per year. Out-of-state students pay $24,438. Median ACT: 24.
9. Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida
Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 56% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,961 per year. Out-of-state students pay $31,216. Median ACT: 22.
10. Florida Polytechnic University
Lakeland, Florida
Florida Polytechnic University graduates 53% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,506 per year. Out-of-state students pay $19,998. Median ACT: 28.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Florida by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 41 qualifying public institutions in Florida.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
