30 Best Value Colleges And Universities In Florida

At Florida Southern College, students gear up for successful careers in the best way possible: with real-world experience and a demanding, engaging curriculum. Between mandatory internships for pay or course credit and junior-year study abroad programs at no extra cost, students are encouraged to develop as much as possible off-campus. Past students have even found internships with big-name companies like NASA, Geico, FOX, Marrill Lynch, and ESPN! Not that it's easy for them to leave; with the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architectural designs in the world, the Princeton Review has twice named FSC's campus the most beautiful in the country.

Florida Memorial University is a great resource for ambitious students of color looking for an affordable Florida college. Founded in 1879, this vibrant, historically black college is also one of only 40 members of the United Negro College Fund, which provides educational assistance based on race and need. But FMU is more than just a good deal; owing to rigorous curriculum and extensive career resources, FMU graduates have the 6th-highest starting salaries in the state. It's no wonder they have such a competitive acceptance rate; at just 21%, you'll need strong credentials to even be considered.

The only institution of higher learning supported by the Florida Baptist Convention, the Baptist College of Florida is the top resource in the state for spiritual, professional, and liberal arts education in the Baptist tradition. BCF offers degrees in theology, music, counseling, education, and business, and the curriculum works to incorporate a strong foundation of spirituality, service, and integrity into all courses. BCF is also nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. All told, students of faith will find a great price, an historical tradition of Christian leadership and service, and meaningful academic work at BCF.

Located in quaint Lake Wales, Warner College is the picture of an intimate, Christian liberal arts college. This cozy campus features just 1,200 students in a spiritual community affiliated and integrated with the Church of God. Warner offers spiritual and ministry services to students alongside 20 degree programs in religious and academic programs. But what may be most unique about Warner is their HEART program, which stands for Hunger Education and Resources Training. HEART simulates the conditions of a Third World country to educate students in "appropriate technology" and provide experiential insight into conditions and problems in other parts of the world.

Johnson University in Kissimmee, FL, is dedicated to producing faith leaders with exceptional academic acumen. Affiliated with the Independent Church of Christ under the Johnson University system, Johnson awards four-year bachelors degrees in Church Ministry, Bible Studies, Humanities, and Christian Education. Bible and Ministry are the cornerstones of the academics at Johnson, where all students must double-major by choosing a second focus alongside their spiritual curriculum. Abiding by core values of Christian faith, service, excellence, and equality of opportunity, students at Johnson gain a spiritual and intellectual foundation that they will carry for the rest of their lives.

Located in historic St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, Flagler College is probably best known for its nationally ranked beautiful campus and architectural stewardship. Yet with just a 35% acceptance rate, Flagler also distinguishes itself as one of the best comprehensive liberal arts colleges in the southeast. By combining classroom theory with community practice, the college seeks to engage and enrich both students' hearts and minds. After all, how many cheap Florida colleges offer "community integrated education" in their curriculum, where the coursework is taken to the historic streets of St. Augustine?

What sets Keiser University apart from all the other cheap, career-focused institutions in Florida? With program specific accreditation in pragmatic degrees such as accounting, biomedical sciences, and finance, Keiser unites the latest findings and insights in your field of study with the latest technology to prepare you to leap into a career. Keiser is also unique in that they offer small, personalized coursework one class at a time. Students take a new class every four weeks, which can help them focus and retain material so they can gain fundamental understandings that will last a lifetime.

Founded in 1958 to educate professionals at the Kennedy Space Center, the Florida Institute of Technology is a rigorous technological institution that provides world-class instruction in a variety of STEM disciplines. Even within the engineering program (which takes 55% of enrollment), students can choose among biomedical, aeronautic, electrical, and chemical specializations, just to name a few. And despite being the only independent technological institution in the southeast, it has been ranked by the Fiske Guide as one of the top such schools in the country. FIT's attractive price tag and excellent academics also makes it a great investment, giving it the #1 ROI among Florida colleges.

At Carlos Albizu University, they understand the best way to learn is by doing. That's why all academic programs, from psychology and criminal justice to speech/language therapy and pathology, feature extensive hands-on work and observation components. With three clinics in Miami and San Juan acting as external practicum sites, students can develop actionable professional skills while simultaneously earning a degree and serving the community. Top caliber academics and professional practitioners - not teaching assistants or graduate students - teach all classes, providing great depth of insight to eager students. This affordable Florida college also makes it easy to finance your education by providing 75% of students with financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

In 1964, Florida Atlantic University became the first public university in southeast Florida. In a short time, it has grown from a miniscule research program into one of the top universities in Florida, with 30,000 undergraduate enrolled, affiliations with major research institutions, and NCAA Division I athletics. Yet FAU is also known for being the most ethnically, racially, and culturally diverse school in Florida's State University System. Drawing students from all over the state and country, FAU has proven its effectiveness by giving students a great return on their investment: $266K, as reported by PayScale.com.

At Florida Gulf Coast University three values are paramount: sustainability, excellence, and service. The school has set aside 400 acres of its sprawling campus specifically for nature preservation, and it has even constructed lakes to promote local ecology. What's more, the university supports a 15-acre solar field that has reduced FGCU's reliance on the grid by 18%. FGCU students also devote a combined nearly 200,000 service hours a year to the community. Excellence pervades all aspects of the FGCU community, but particularly the classroom, where students can pursue 51 different degrees at this top-tier southern university.

As a charter member of the United Negro College Fund since its inception in 1943, Bethune Cookman University has long been dedicated to advancing the cause of affordable education. This cheap college in Florida offers practical degree programs in seven schools including nursing, engineering, and business. But BCU is perhaps best known for its sporting events, whether it be their fierce intra-state football rivalry with Florida A&M, or the pre-game performances from their marching band, The Pride, which appeared in the film Drumline. In short, BCU provides a full college experience for half the price.

This small Christian university is the largest Assemblies of God educational institution in the US, offering affordable, non-denominational higher learning for students of faith. Students can choose from 45 majors in schools ranging from Behavioral/Social Sciences and Business/Legal Studies to Christian and Ministry. Students' spirituality is augmented by strong Christian values in the classroom as well as the administration. Southeastern also holds an annual National Leadership Forum to address servant leadership in the academic, business, and church communities. Past speakers have included George W. Bush and Tim Tebow, bringing students closer to national role models who use their faith to lead others.

As Florida's oldest post-secondary institution, Rollins College has a storied history filled with rich tradition and intellectual heritage. Students at Rollins engage with the liberal arts through such disciplines as anthropology, economics, and theater studies, and use this knowledge to enrich not only their future, but their present as well. What's more, Princeton Review has named Rollins' stunning campus on the banks of Lake Virginia one of the most beautiful campus in the country for several years running, and the school itself is regularly ranked the best Florida college regionally on US News lists.

With a small class sizes, personalized wellness and career resources, and a multitude of professional programs, Jacksonville University manages to combine the respective advantages of a liberal arts college with that of an urban comprehensive university. Alongside more traditional offerings in business, education, and nursing, JU is also noted for its aviation program (partnered with Aerosim Flight Academy) and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (the second largest in the nation). Students can also enjoy modern apartment-style residence halls, the newly renovated Swisher Theater, and NCAA Division I athletics to complete their experience at this top Florida college.

With 200 degree programs and 1,000 internship opportunities from which to choose, the University of Tampa can seem a bit overwhelming at first glance. But these opportunities are all brought to you by distinguished faculty who are there to teach first and do their own research second. In fact, like many of the best Florida colleges, UT employs no teaching assistants whatsoever, maintaining a 17:1 student to faculty ratio to provide the best learning experience for students. Whether students wish to pursue a degree in Aerospace Studies, Cybersecurity, or Entrepreneurship, they are guaranteed to get direct access to and guidance from experts who can show them the path to success.

Among cheap colleges in Florida, few other schools can match Nova Southeastern University for sheer academic breadth and depth. With 140 degree programs available to undergraduates alone, along with groundbreaking research opportunities in fields such as medicine, oceanography, oncology, psychology, dentistry, and autism studies, students have a range of opportunities that is only limited by their imagination (and time)! But NSU doesn't put quantity before quality; state-of-the-art research facilities and technology and expert faculty (no teaching assistants here!) mean that students get more than what they pay for. The proof is in the pudding: with a $200,000 ROI on PayScale.com, NSU graduates get more than what they pay for.

One of forty liberal arts colleges profiled in Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives, Eckerd offers more than just a pretty view (although the mile-long Gulf Coast waterfront doesn't hurt). This top Florida college combines a robust liberal arts education in the humanistic tradition with innovative interdisciplinary undergraduate research opportunities, such as D.A.R.W.I.N., a computer and marine science project designed to model dolphin behavior. With a nearly 70% graduation rate, and $266,000 ROI, students can be confident in their future at Eckerd. Plus, they can always enjoy sailing, kayaking, fishing, and waterskiing through Eckerd's Waterfront Program.

Founded by the Trinity Baptist Church and accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Trinity Baptist College offers students of faith a spiritual education at an affordable college in Florida. From Education and Business to Biblical Studies and Music, TBC students have a range of promising and challenging degree choices undergirded by devotion to Christ. Music lovers in particularly will be drawn to LifeSong, TBC's traveling devotional music group. And thanks to its location in the heart of Jacksonville, TBC gives students the opportunity to explore beautiful beaches and the downtown and metropolitan areas of the largest city in Florida.

Named after Pope Leo The Great, Saint Leo University is not only the oldest, but also one of the best universities in Florida and the southeast region according to US News. This Catholic university is founded upon a liberal arts core of science and humanities that provides students with a strong foundation for their faith and knowledge. Students can then select from dozens of majors in academic and professional subjects ranging from Biology to Marketing and Social Work. Rigorous coursework, low tuition, and a $265,000 ROI from PayScale.com all put SLU high on our list.