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Florida International University vs Valencia College: which has better ROI?

Public, Miami FL · vs · Public, Orlando FL

The verdict

Florida International University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,152 in 3.1 years versus not at all at Valencia College, on median earnings of $60,249 vs $40,594 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorida International UniversityValencia College
Net price / yr$9,288$12,037
Total net cost$37,152$48,148
Median earnings, 10 yrs$60,249$40,594
Median debt$16,500$9,300
Payback3.1 yrs
20-year net return$200,628-$203,468

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Florida International University or Valencia College?

Florida International University, at $9,288 a year after aid versus $12,037 — a gap of $2,749 a year, or $10,996 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Florida International University or Valencia College graduates earn more?

Florida International University graduates report a median $60,249 ten years after entry, $19,655 more than the $40,594 at Valencia College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Florida International University or Valencia College?

Valencia College: its completers carry a median $9,300 in federal loans versus $16,500 at Florida International University, a difference of $7,200. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Florida International University, against 48% at Valencia College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Florida International University vs Valencia College: frequently asked questions

Is Florida International University or Valencia College a better value?
Florida International University. It clears its $37,152 net cost in about 3.1 years versus no clear payback at Valencia College, on median earnings of $60,249 vs $40,594 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida International University or Valencia College?
Florida International University: $9,288/yr net price after aid versus $12,037/yr at Valencia College — a difference of $2,749 a year, or about $10,996 over four years.
Do Florida International University or Valencia College graduates earn more?
Florida International University graduates earn a median $60,249 ten years after entry, versus $40,594 at Valencia College — a $19,655 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.