Three Florida schools just ranked among the top 10 best-value universities in the U.S. — and one took the #1 spot with a $71K post-grad salary

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Bianca Marcof

 –  Staff Writer

 ·  August 8, 2026

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With the rising costs of tuition and burden of student debt, paying for college has become one of the biggest concerns for students across the U.S. But it’s not all about the price tag. Public universities are usually viewed as the most affordable path toward higher education, but outcomes can vary widely, with some schools offering stronger returns for those seeking manageable costs and solid career trajectories.

To figure this out, SmartAsset analyzed more than 500 public colleges and universities in the country to determine which one offers the best values, looking at average cost of attendance (tuition, books, fees and living expenses), graduation rates and median alumni earnings. Multiple Florida institutions made the ranking, and taking the top spot is none other than the University of Florida!

What makes UF the top public university?

With an undergraduate student body of approximately 35,000, the University of Florida secured the No. 1 spot largely due to its 91% graduation rate and median alumni earnings 10 years after first enrollment of $71,588. Cost of attendance is about $22,523 as well, according to the study.

Which Florida universities made the list?

Alongside UF, Florida International University (No. 8) and the University of Central Florida (No. 10) made the top 10. FIU boasts a graduation rate of 74% and median earnings of $60,249. UCF features a 77% graduation rate and median earnings of $58,308.

The University of South Florida in Tampa didn’t stray too far at No. 11, followed by University of North Florida in Jacksonville (No. 23) and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton (No. 32).

What are the top 10 best-value universities?

Here’s how the top schools stacked up in terms of cost, graduation rates and future earnings, according to the study.

1. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
3. Baruch College, New York, NY
4. Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA
5. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM
6. Iowa State University, Ames, IA
7. California State University-Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
8. Florida International University, Miami, FL
9. California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, CA
10. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

If you’d like to read more about the rankings, you can find SmartAsset’s full methodology on their website.