SmartAsset, has released its sixth annual study on the colleges that give students the best return on their educational investment. To find the best value colleges in Florida, SmartAsset measured categories, including scholarships provided, starting salary, tuition, living costs and retention rate.
These South Florida schools ranked in the top 10
University of Miami (#6)
Florida International University (#7)
Florida Atlantic University (#9)
Click here to find additional details on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, with the top schools in each state.
| Rank | School | City | Avg. Scholarships and Grants | Avg. Starting Salary | College Tuition * | Student Living Costs | Student Retention Rate | College Education Value Index |
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $9,169 | $55,800 | $6,381 | $14,750 | 97% | 57.66 |
| 2 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | $28,661 | $63,300 | $34,822 | $17,006 | 82% | 55.71 |
| 3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | $6,830 | $50,800 | $5,656 | $16,118 | 93% | 45.06 |
| 4 | University of South Florida-Main Campus | Tampa, FL | $8,095 | $49,700 | $6,410 | $15,000 | 91% | 44.53 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $6,638 | $49,700 | $6,368 | $15,886 | 90% | 41.78 |
| 6 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $31,431 | $56,200 | $48,484 | $17,790 | 92% | 40.48 |
| 7 | Florida International University | Miami, FL | $5,872 | $49,600 | $6,556 | $17,132 | 90% | 39.20 |
| 8 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL | $6,847 | $48,800 | $6,394 | $14,816 | 82% | 38.66 |
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL | $8,450 | $49,400 | $4,831 | $18,528 | 82% | 36.98 |
| 10 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | $23,316 | $58,300 | $41,240 | $18,410 | 81% | 36.88 |
