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Florida State University vs University of Florida-Online: which has better ROI?

Public, Tallahassee FL · vs · Public, Gainesville FL

The verdict

University of Florida-Online has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $19,260 in 0.8 years versus 3.4 years at Florida State University, on median earnings of $71,588 vs $61,675 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorida State UniversityUniversity of Florida-Online
Net price / yr$11,297$4,815
Total net cost$45,188$19,260
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,675$71,588
Median debt$18,000$15,000
Payback3.4 yrs0.8 yrs
20-year net return$221,112$445,300

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

Which is cheaper, Florida State University or University of Florida-Online?

University of Florida-Online, at $4,815 a year after aid versus $11,297 — a gap of $6,482 a year, or $25,928 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 State University or University of Florida-Online graduates earn more?

University of Florida-Online graduates report a median $71,588 ten years after entry, $9,913 more than the $61,675 at Florida State 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 State University or University of Florida-Online?

University of Florida-Online: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $18,000 at Florida State University, a difference of $3,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

86% of students finish at Florida State University, against 85% at University of Florida-Online. 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 State University vs University of Florida-Online: frequently asked questions

Is Florida State University or University of Florida-Online a better value?
University of Florida-Online. It clears its $19,260 net cost in about 0.8 years versus 3.4 years at Florida State University, on median earnings of $71,588 vs $61,675 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Florida State University or University of Florida-Online?
University of Florida-Online: $4,815/yr net price after aid versus $11,297/yr at Florida State University — a difference of $6,482 a year, or about $25,928 over four years.
Do Florida State University or University of Florida-Online graduates earn more?
University of Florida-Online graduates earn a median $71,588 ten years after entry, versus $61,675 at Florida State University — a $9,913 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.