Florida Atlantic University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Florida Atlantic University charges a net price of $8,752/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $35,008. Graduates earn a median $56,746 ten years after entry, $8,386/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.2 years — a 20-year net return of $132,712, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Florida Atlantic University's 4.2-year payback ranks #315 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 75% of them, and #10 of 166 in Florida.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $8,752/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $35,008 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,746 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,386/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $17,236 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $132,712 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Florida Atlantic University's own numbers. Net price $8,752 × 4 years = $35,008 total. Median earnings $56,746 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,386 a year of premium. $35,008 ÷ $8,386 = 4.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $132,712. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Florida Atlantic University students graduate with?
A median $17,236 in federal loans among completers, or 30% of the $56,746 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Florida Atlantic University students graduate?
63% finish their degree — 37% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $35,008 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $55,568 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Florida Atlantic University expensive compared with other Florida colleges?
Its $8,752 net price runs $11,060 below the $19,812 median across the 166 Florida colleges we profile, and $44,240 less across the full degree.