Florida Colleges Among Most Affordable in Country

Tuition may be rising across the country, but Florida universities are still among the most affordable four-year colleges with some of the lowest tuition rates in the entire country. Nineteen Florida College System (FCS) universities made the list, which was created by the U.S. Department of Education's College Affordability and Transparency Center.

"The news that Florida colleges are the most affordable in the nation is a testament of our efforts to fight tuition and fee increases, as well as a testament to the hard work of our college leaders and educators in expanding opportunities for students," said Gov. Rick Scott. "Every one of Floridas colleges that offer four-year degrees stepped up to the plate and took the $10,000 degree challenge, which will provide families with even more opportunities to get a great education and pursue their dreams. The more affordable we make college, the more education opportunities we provide our students -- and the more we support job growth."

The USED opened the Affordability and Transparency Center in 2011 to help track costs of college while providing the tools and data to help students and families make smarter decisions about their higher education options. The center used data from more than 4,000 institutions, highlighting colleges with both the highest and lowest tuitions, the highest and lowest net prices, and the colleges with the fastest-rising costs.

The center identified 19 Florida public, four-year colleges as being in the bottom 10 percent for tuition and fees. The average for tuition and fees in the FCS for public, four-year institutions is $2,792, well below the midpoint of the national average of $7,135. The average for tuition and fees in the FCS for public, two-year institutions is $2,727, which is slightly below the national average of $2,905.

The average net prices for Florida colleges was also well below the national average. The net price of a college is the price students pay after grants and scholarships are taken out. Nine Florida institutions were in the bottom 10 percent for net prices, eight were in the public, four-year category, and one was in the public, two-year category. The national net price average was $10,863. FCS institutions' net prices were significantly lower -- their average net price was $6,757.

The value of a college education is important in todays economy, said FCS Chancellor Randy Hanna. The Florida College System ensures that students have access to an affordable college education that prepares them for the workforce or continued education.