Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
University of Florida came first and Florida International University came second in our rankings of the best colleges in Florida.
Many nationally renowned universities are located in this diverse state, and students from across the country come to Florida for a first-rate education. The Sunshine State is also well known for its affordable tuition prices.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,135
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$64,463
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate88%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This public university is the best college in Florida by value for money. It is located in Gainesville, a college town in North-Central Florida. By enrollment, UF is one of the largest universities in the country. It is represented by the Florida Gators. The University of Florida earns its place at the top of the list of best universities in Florida thanks to its affordable pricing, which means students can attend without taking on too much toxic student debt.
On its campus, the University of Florida has several state-of-the-art research facilities, including the Nanoscale Research Facility and the Pathogens Research Facility. It is also home to the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,298
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$54,501
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida International University comes second on our list of the top colleges in Florida. Founded in 1965, it is a public institution located just outside Miami. Like its rival UF, FIU is one of the largest universities in the country. Its symbol is the FIU panthers.
FIU offers relatively low tuition prices, making it an outstanding college in terms of value for money. The school is a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,354
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$38,070
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate52%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This public college in Orlando was founded in 1967. Besides its Orlando campuses, it also has locations in Winter Park and Kissimmee. Its mascot is the puma. Valencia is well known for its School of Public Safety, which is devoted to criminal justice, fire rescue, and safety and security. With very affordable tuition, Valencia offers high-value degrees for fair prices.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$9,946
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,449
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
FSU, often called Florida State, is another large, public university. It is located in the state capital of Tallahassee, Florida. Home to Florida’s only national lab, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State conducts internationally important research. It also runs several art museums. Florida State’s mascot is the Seminoles.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,346
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,262
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This large public research university is located in Tampa. It also has campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota. USF is respected worldwide for its cutting edge research and rigorous academic standards, with the IPO granting it an impressive number of patents. USF houses the National Academy of Inventors and the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. Its symbol is the Bulls.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,618
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,912
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A public university in the Orlando area, the University of Central Florida is usually known as UCF. It has one of the largest student bodies of any American public university. Founded as a technology university to support the country’s space race (Florida’s “Space Coast” is pretty close), UCF continues to maintain a high profile in science and technological research; it governs the Florida Space Institute, which partners with NASA. It is represented by the Pegasus and the Golden Knight.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,865
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,338
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The University of North Florida, or UNF, is a public research university in Jacksonville. Established in 1965, it is noted for its business, coastal biology, and music programs, among others. The cultural amenities associated with this high-value college include the Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville and the UNF Arena. It also has a campus on Palm Coast. Its mascot is the Ospreys.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,005
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$35,534
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
South Florida State College is a public college that has campuses in Highland, DeSoto, and Hardee County. The main campus is located in Avon Park, Central Florida. While this school offers mostly associate degrees and certificates, it has several bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs for affordable prices. It is home to the Museum of Florida Art and Culture.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,089
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$43,063
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate57%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This public university, normally abbreviated as West Florida or UWF, is in Pensacola, a major town in the Florida panhandle. Its mascot is Argie the Argonaut, and its logo is a nautilus. It is well loved for its scenic campus that blends in seamlessly with the woodlands and rivers of this part of Florida. The university is in charge of maintaining the famous Historic Pensacola Village and the Arcadia Mill Complex.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,735
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,478
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Florida Atlantic, or FAU, is a large public university based in Boca Raton. It also has campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. FAU proudly claims to be the #1 most diverse university in Florida, and it was the first public institution of higher learning in the Miami area. The school has many innovative educational opportunities for students, including a Commercial Music Program and trading room simulator. Its nickname is the Owls.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,743
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$34,361
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate50%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A former community college with campuses in Brevard Country, EFSC now offers affordable 4-year degrees. It also has a Virtual Campus for students who prefer to study online. Many students at EFSC transfer to larger 4-year colleges in Florida’s state university system. It is home to the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, the Harry T. and Harriette Moore Multicultural Center, and the Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory. It also operates WEFS TV, an educational TV station. Its nickname is the Titans.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,427
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$38,557
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate51%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This public college has several campuses in Central Florida, but its main one is in Sanford, just outside Orlando. Besides its locations in Sanford, Oviedo, and Altamonte Springs, Seminole State operates a Center for Economic Development in the town of Heathrow, which is well known for its interior design and construction programs. Many of its degrees are available online. Its colors are blue and gold, and it is represented by the Raiders.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,299
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,984
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate64%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
FGCU is a public university close to the town of Fort Myers in Eastern Florida. A young university, it was established in 1991. It has satellite campuses in Naples, Fort Myers, and Punta Gorda. FGCU is well known for its commitment to sustainability, and a healthy population of wildlife can be found on its campuses’ lakes. The college is well known for its entrepreneurship, resort and hospitality management, and engineering programs. Its nickname is the Eagles.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,272
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$43,994
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate65%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The New College of Florida is a public liberal arts school. It is located in Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is widely regarded as a prestigious “public Ivy” school. One distinctive feature of this college is that students receive written evaluations in place of grades. All students must write a thesis. The New College has drawn significant media attention recently due to its re-alignment with conservative values driven by the Florida state government. Its nickname is the Mighty Banyans.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,126
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$40,322
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A public college located in the university town of Gainesville. A former junior college, Santa Fe also has campuses in Alachua and Bradford counties. It offers bachelor’s degrees in accounting, early childhood education, industrial biotechnology, nursing, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$35,442
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$77,768
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate65%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This private university is dedicated to aviation and aerospace sciences; it is sometimes called the “Harvard of the Skies.” Embry Riddle has 2 main campuses: one in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the other in Prescott, Arizona. It is well known for its James Hagedorn Aviation Complex, which includes a flight simulation center, college of aviation, fleet maintenance hangar, and more. Its mascot is the Eagles.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$25,807
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,788
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate55%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A private university, AdventHealth (or AHU) is affiliated with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It is located in Orlando, Florida, and there is a twin campus in Denver, Colorado. Students can also take classes from anywhere in the country online. The university is devoted to health sciences: departments include healthcare administration, imaging sciences, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and more.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$21,027
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$46,968
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
This is a private Christian college. It is based mainly in Temple Terrace, just outside Tampa. Most of its students are associated with non-institutional Churches of Christ. Many alumni of Florida College become pastors, and all students take biblical courses. Besides biblical studies, students can major in business, communication, education, history, and more. Its nickname is the Falcons.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,539
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,436
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate50%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
A private Christian university, Barry is affiliated with the Catholic Church. Its main campus is in Miami; however, it has locations throughout the state. It is known for the beautiful Cor Jesu Chapel on campus. Besides the liberal arts, which Barry is most known for, students can study nursing, education, medical technology, and social work. Its nickname is the Buccaneers.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$31,009
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$63,704
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
FIT is a private research university in the town of Melbourne, which is on Florida’s “Space Coast.” Often referred to as Florida Tech, this school’s programs are divided into the Engineering & Science College, the Aeronautics College, the Psychology & Liberal Arts College, and the Business College. Important research is conducted here in many disciplines. Its nickname is the Panthers.
The following figures are the average salaries in Florida for each level of education.
Average Income
The average income of people in this state with a high-school diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, 10 years after enrollment, based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
HS Diploma$22,752
Certificate$20,949
Associate$36,759
Bachelor$51,150
Master$62,828
Cost of attending college in Florida
In-state-tuition$15,081
The average in-state tuition, before financial aid, of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Out-of-state-tuition$18,803
The average tuition for out-of-state students, before financial aid of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Most popular degrees in Florida
In Florida the most popular degrees are Business Administration, Registered Nursing, and Psychology. To create this list, we complied and analyzed data from IPEDS and College Scorecard.
They both provide information on how many graduates each program has annually. The list below is both undergraduate- and graduate-level programs.
Popular degrees
1Business Administration 16,064graduates
2Registered Nursing 11,313graduates
3Psychology 7,666graduates
4Biology 6,329graduates
5Computer & Information Sciences 4,404graduates
6Criminal Justice 3,889graduates
7Finance 3,634graduates
8Accounting 3,247graduates
9Marketing 3,117graduates
10Communication & Media Studies 2,843graduates
Fastest growing careers
Florida job growth
17.3%
Nurse Practitioners
70.8%
Statisticians
63.2%
Information Security Analysts
52%
Physician Assistants
46.2%
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
44.8%
Veterinarians
43.2%
Physical Therapist Assistants
42.3%
Interpreters and Translators
40.2%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
39.7%
Massage Therapists
39.7%
Best bachelor’s degrees in Florida
These majors are most likely to pay off economically after graduation.
Higher education is supposed to act as an economic elevator that lifts students from low-income households into the middle class. But not all colleges do this: unfortunately, many of the nation’s most “prestigious” schools accept very few students from low-income backgrounds.
To determine what colleges are doing the best job at lifting students out of poverty, we have devised a Social Mobility Index (SMI).
The best colleges for social mobility in Florida are shown below.
Bachelor's degree holders or higher
32%
Filters
Florida
17.3%
