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Florida Southern College — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Lakeland, FL · 2,656 students

The verdict

Florida Southern College charges a net price of $28,551/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $114,204. Graduates earn a median $55,294 ten years after entry, $6,934/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 16.5 years — a 20-year net return of $24,476, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Florida Southern College's 16.5-year payback ranks #1,001 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 22% of them, and #30 of 166 in Florida.

Better ROI than 22% of US colleges#1,001 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$28,551
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,294
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
16.5 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
64%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Florida Southern College: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$28,551/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$114,204our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$55,294Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$6,934/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback16.5 yrsour math
20-year net return$24,476our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Florida Southern College: frequently asked questions

Is Florida Southern College worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Florida Southern College charges $28,551/yr after aid ($114,204 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $55,294 ten years out — $6,934/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 16.5 years and returns $24,476 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Florida Southern College degree take to pay off?
About 16.5 years. We divide the $114,204 four-year net cost by the $6,934/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Florida Southern College cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $28,551/yr — about $114,204 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Florida Southern College compare to other Florida colleges?
It ranks #30 of 166 Florida colleges we track by payback. Its $55,294 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $28,551 net price is above the national median of $16,906.