Most affordable colleges with strong academics
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
690 schools qualify, ranked by net price. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
- 2
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for low net price
- Net price $3,033 a year
- 72% graduate
- 3
- 4
University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL · PublicHonor RollTop 4% for low net price
- Net price $4,815 a year
- 85% graduate
- 5
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses
Stockton, CA · Private nonprofitTop 5% for low net price
- Net price $5,524 a year
- 62% graduate
- 6
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Missouri
- Net price $6,100 a year
- 64% graduate
- 7
Berea College
Berea, KY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Kentucky
- Net price $6,106 a year
- 58% graduate
- 8
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll#1 in New Jersey
- Net price $6,128 a year
- 98% graduate
- 9
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY · PublicHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- Net price $6,174 a year
- 82% graduate
- 10
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Florida
- Net price $6,541 a year
- 91% graduate
- 11
Yeshivas Novominsk
Brooklyn, NY · Private nonprofitTop 8% for low net price
- Net price $7,032 a year
- 81% graduate
- 12
New College of Florida
Sarasota, FL · PublicTop 8% for low net price
- Net price $7,195 a year
- 67% graduate
- 13
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
San Juan, PR · Public#3 in Puerto Rico
- Net price $7,260 a year
- 67% graduate
- 14
University of Minnesota-Morris
Morris, MN · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- Net price $8,837 a year
- 63% graduate
- 15
Florida International University
Miami, FL · PublicTop 13% for low net price
- Net price $9,288 a year
- 74% graduate
- 16
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Net price $9,492 a year
- 58% graduate
- 17
- 18
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM · Public#2 in New Mexico
- Net price $9,873 a year
- 57% graduate
- 19
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Manchester, NH · PublicTop 15% for low net price
- Net price $9,992 a year
- 50% graduate
- 20
Yeshiva Gedola Tiferes Yerachmiel
Lakewood, NJ · Private nonprofitTop 4% for graduation
- Net price $10,016 a year
- 91% graduate
- 21
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL · PublicTop 16% for low net price
- Net price $10,154 a year
- 69% graduate
- 22
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · PublicHonor Roll#6 in Florida
- Net price $10,411 a year
- 78% graduate
- 23
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Columbus, OH · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- Net price $10,420 a year
- 54% graduate
- 24
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $10,440 a year
- 69% graduate
- 25
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · PublicTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $10,974 a year
- 62% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
By state
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15