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Florida Southern College vs Eckerd College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lakeland FL · vs · Private nonprofit, Saint Petersburg FL

The verdict

Florida Southern College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,204 in 16.5 years versus 44 years at Eckerd College, on median earnings of $55,294 vs $51,819 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorida Southern CollegeEckerd College
Net price / yr$28,551$38,071
Total net cost$114,204$152,284
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,294$51,819
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback16.5 yrs44 yrs
20-year net return$24,476-$83,104

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

Which is cheaper, Florida Southern College or Eckerd College?

Florida Southern College, at $28,551 a year after aid versus $38,071 — a gap of $9,520 a year, or $38,080 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 Southern College or Eckerd College graduates earn more?

Florida Southern College graduates report a median $55,294 ten years after entry, $3,475 more than the $51,819 at Eckerd 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 Southern College or Eckerd College?

Florida Southern College: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Eckerd College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Florida Southern College, against 66% at Eckerd 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 Southern College vs Eckerd College: frequently asked questions

Is Florida Southern College or Eckerd College a better value?
Florida Southern College. It clears its $114,204 net cost in about 16.5 years versus 44 years at Eckerd College, on median earnings of $55,294 vs $51,819 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida Southern College or Eckerd College?
Florida Southern College: $28,551/yr net price after aid versus $38,071/yr at Eckerd College — a difference of $9,520 a year, or about $38,080 over four years.
Do Florida Southern College or Eckerd College graduates earn more?
Florida Southern College graduates earn a median $55,294 ten years after entry, versus $51,819 at Eckerd College — a $3,475 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.