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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Florida

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Florida charges just $6,351 net price for Liberal Arts and Sciences students while delivering a 91.50% graduation rate, making it the state's clearest academic bargain. The $17,000 gap between New College of Florida at $4,536 and private institutions like Bethune-Cookman at $14,892 shows how public funding shapes accessibility in this field. Florida's tourism and healthcare sectors actively recruit liberal arts graduates for management roles, customer relations, and program coordination positions that value critical thinking and communication skills. Students at University of South Florida earn $39,774 median income after graduation, nearly double the $21,508 reported by Florida State graduates in the same programs. The state's Bright Futures scholarship program can eliminate tuition costs entirely for high-achieving students, while the absence of state income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings compared to other regions.
41
Programs
$4,536 – $38,222
Net Price Range
$29,081
Avg. Program Earnings
55.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,536 $6,916 61.8% 75.4%
2 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
3 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
4 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
5 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
6 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
8 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
9 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
10 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
11 $10,888 $9,068 60.7%
12 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
13 $12,310 $2,710 44.0%
14 $13,580 $14,878 28.0% 83.5%
15 $14,892 $14,794 27.8% 85.0%
16 $18,467 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
17 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
18 $19,273 $14,300 44.2% 49.6%
19 $21,007 $28,160 34.9% 55.1%
20 $21,283 $16,300 59.8%
21 $21,318 $55,220 62.8% 93.8%
22 $22,226 $19,658 23.6% 79.3%
23 $22,527 $18,920 50.6% 71.7%
24 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
25 $23,629 $16,088 28.1%
26 $23,655 $28,222 55.5% 44.2%
27 $24,275 $34,770 43.4% 65.2%
28 $26,255 $46,180 57.0% 57.7%
29 $29,664 $42,360 69.3% 56.6%
30 $29,932 $32,150 26.0% 49.0%
31 $29,951 $26,610 55.9% 81.0%
32 $30,209 $31,732 43.3% 60.9%
33 $31,303 $37,080 64.3% 75.8%
34 $32,751 $37,990 58.9% 94.7%
35 $33,011 $50,374 67.6% 65.1%
36 $33,847 $58,300 76.9% 50.0%
37 $35,300 $44,360 65.5% 64.4%
38 $35,634 $33,424 61.9% 26.4%
39 $36,576 $49,230 57.3% 51.9%
40 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
41 $38,222 $42,950 52.7% 80.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,000 price difference between cheapest and most expensive programs?

New College of Florida costs $4,536 net while Bethune-Cookman University charges $14,892, primarily due to public versus private funding structures. Public institutions receive state appropriations that reduce student costs, while private colleges rely on tuition revenue. Edward Waters University at $13,580 and other private schools also cluster above $10,000, showing consistent patterns across institutional types.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable options?

University of Florida leads with 91.50% graduation rate despite charging only $6,351 net price. New College of Florida graduates 61.80% of students at the lowest cost of $4,536. Daytona State College shows 41.20% completion at $7,201 net price, while College of Central Florida graduates 44.00% of students paying $12,310.

Does earning potential justify higher program costs in this field?

University of South Florida graduates earn $39,774 median income at $10,043 net cost, while Florida State graduates make $21,508 despite paying $10,997. Florida International University offers middle ground with $34,230 earnings at $9,133 net price. The data shows earnings don't always correlate with program costs in liberal arts fields.

Where do acceptance rates create the most competition for affordable spots?

University of Florida accepts only 23.35% of applicants for its $6,351 program, making it the most selective bargain. Florida State admits 25.04% at $10,997, while University of Central Florida takes 41.04% of applicants paying $10,650. Less expensive options like Florida Atlantic University admit 81.32% of students.

What makes Florida's job market favorable for liberal arts graduates?

Tourism companies need liberal arts graduates for guest services and cultural programming roles throughout Orlando, Miami, and Tampa Bay. Healthcare systems recruit these majors for patient advocacy and community outreach positions. The state's aerospace industry values critical thinking skills for project coordination, while the absence of state income tax increases take-home pay compared to other regions.

More Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Rankings

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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.