Best Value Political Science and Government Colleges in Florida

University of Florida stands out as an strong value for political science students, charging just $6,351 in net costs while maintaining a 91.50% graduation rate that surpasses most private institutions costing five times more. The $30,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs reveals significant variation in career outcomes across Florida's 20 political science programs. Florida's status as a swing state with no income tax creates unique opportunities for political science graduates, from campaign management roles during election cycles to policy positions in state government that benefit from higher take-home pay. Public universities dominate the value equation, with eight of the top nine most affordable options being state schools. The Bright Futures scholarship program further reduces costs for high-achieving students, making programs like Florida State University effectively free for many residents despite the school's competitive 25.04% acceptance rate.

Programs

$6,351 – $38,222

Net Price Range

$31,103

Avg. Program Earnings

58.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$29,956	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001	$33,043	$4,879	64.3%	81.3%
3	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$35,179	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
4	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$10,319	$34,704	$6,118	56.0%	74.4%
5	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$30,854	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
6	Florida International University Miami, Florida	$9,133	$27,048	$6,565	73.9%	63.9%
7	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997	$32,391	$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
8	University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida	$10,650	$28,753	$6,368	75.1%	41.0%
9	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$25,580	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
10	Stetson University DeLand, Florida	$21,318	$32,569	$55,220	62.8%	93.8%
11	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803	$41,565	$59,926	84.2%	18.9%
12	The University of Tampa Tampa, Florida	$35,634	$33,993	$33,424	61.9%	26.4%
13	Flagler College Saint Augustine, Florida	$29,951	$25,774	$26,610	55.9%	81.0%
14	Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, Florida	$33,011	$24,035	$50,374	67.6%	65.1%
15	Webber International University Babson Park, Florida	$29,932		$32,150	26.0%	49.0%
16	St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida	$24,275		$34,770	43.4%	65.2%
17	Southeastern University Lakeland, Florida	$30,209		$31,732	43.3%	60.9%
18	Ave Maria University Ave Maria, Florida	$23,655		$28,222	55.5%	44.2%
19	University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida	$8,155		$6,360	61.8%	48.0%
20	Barry University Miami, Florida	$22,978		$33,450	36.6%	59.6%
21	Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Florida	$18,467		$28,360	48.8%	80.1%
22	Rollins College Winter Park, Florida	$33,847		$58,300	76.9%	50.0%
23	Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, Florida	$32,751		$37,990	58.9%	94.7%
24	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$31,303		$37,080	64.3%	75.8%
25	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$34,439		$24,136	44.2%	96.5%
26	Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida	$26,255		$46,180	57.0%	57.7%
27	Florida Southern College Lakeland, Florida	$29,664		$42,360	69.3%	56.6%
28	Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, Florida	$18,675		$19,110	30.2%	69.9%
29	Lynn University Boca Raton, Florida	$38,222		$42,950	52.7%	80.1%
30	Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Florida	$14,892		$14,794	27.8%	85.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida such a strong value for political science students?

UF combines the lowest net cost at $6,351 with the highest graduation rate at 91.50% among all Florida programs. Students graduate with manageable debt averaging $15,000 while earning $29,956 annually after graduation. The combination of minimal costs and strong outcomes makes it difficult to find better value anywhere in the state.

How much more do University of Miami graduates earn compared to other programs?

University of Miami graduates earn $41,565 annually, which is $17,530 more than the state average for political science graduates. However, students pay $36,803 in net costs, making it the most expensive option in Florida. The higher earnings help justify the premium, but it takes several years to offset the additional investment.

Is the Bright Futures scholarship program significant for political science students?

Bright Futures can cover full tuition at Florida public universities, reducing costs to just room, board, and fees. For example, Florida State University charges $5,656 in state tuition, which eligible students receive free through the program. This makes already affordable programs like University of North Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University even more accessible.

Does Florida's no income tax policy benefit political science graduates significantly?

Florida's lack of state income tax increases take-home pay by roughly 4-6% compared to states with income taxes. For a University of North Florida graduate earning $35,179, this translates to an additional $1,400-$2,100 annually in pocket. The tax advantage becomes more valuable as graduates advance to higher-paying government or lobbying positions.

Where do graduation rates vary most among Florida political science programs?

Graduation rates range from 26% at Webber International University to 91.50% at University of Florida, a 65-point spread. Most public universities maintain rates between 51-83%, while private schools show more variation. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University graduates 51.90% of students despite being a public institution, significantly below the state university average.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.