Florida Southern College vs St. Thomas University: which has better ROI?
Florida Southern College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $114,204 in 16.5 years versus 17.8 years at St. Thomas University, on median earnings of $55,294 vs $54,272 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Florida Southern College | St. Thomas University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $28,551 | $26,312 |
| Total net cost | $114,204 | $105,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,294 | $54,272 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $19,125 |
| Payback | 16.5 yrs | 17.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $24,476 | $12,992 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Florida Southern College or St. Thomas University?
St. Thomas University, at $26,312 a year after aid versus $28,551 — a gap of $2,239 a year, or $8,956 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 St. Thomas University graduates earn more?
Florida Southern College graduates report a median $55,294 ten years after entry, $1,022 more than the $54,272 at St. Thomas University. 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 St. Thomas University?
St. Thomas University: its completers carry a median $19,125 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Florida Southern College, a difference of $5,875. 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 48% at St. Thomas University. 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.