Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Santa Fe College vs University of Florida-Online: which has better ROI?

Public, Gainesville 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 not at all at Santa Fe College, on median earnings of $71,588 vs $41,631 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureSanta Fe CollegeUniversity of Florida-Online
Net price / yr$11,098$4,815
Total net cost$22,196$19,260
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,631$71,588
Median debt$11,310$15,000
Payback0.8 yrs
20-year net return-$156,776$445,300

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

Which is cheaper, Santa Fe College or University of Florida-Online?

University of Florida-Online, at $4,815 a year after aid versus $11,098 — a gap of $6,283 a year, or $2,936 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Santa Fe College or University of Florida-Online graduates earn more?

University of Florida-Online graduates report a median $71,588 ten years after entry, $29,957 more than the $41,631 at Santa Fe 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, Santa Fe College or University of Florida-Online?

Santa Fe College: its completers carry a median $11,310 in federal loans versus $15,000 at University of Florida-Online, a difference of $3,690. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

85% of students finish at University of Florida-Online, against 53% at Santa Fe 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.

Santa Fe College vs University of Florida-Online: frequently asked questions

Is Santa Fe College 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 no clear payback at Santa Fe College, on median earnings of $71,588 vs $41,631 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Santa Fe College or University of Florida-Online?
University of Florida-Online: $4,815/yr net price after aid versus $11,098/yr at Santa Fe College — a difference of $6,283 a year, or about $2,936 over four years.
Do Santa Fe College or University of Florida-Online graduates earn more?
University of Florida-Online graduates earn a median $71,588 ten years after entry, versus $41,631 at Santa Fe College — a $29,957 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.