University of South Florida vs Hillsborough College: which has better ROI?
University of South Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $39,248 in 4.2 years versus not at all at Hillsborough College, on median earnings of $57,743 vs $40,782 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Florida | Hillsborough College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,812 | $3,861 |
| Total net cost | $39,248 | $15,444 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,743 | $40,782 |
| Median debt | $17,988 | $9,762 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $148,412 | -$167,004 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of South Florida or Hillsborough College?
Hillsborough College, at $3,861 a year after aid versus $9,812 — a gap of $5,951 a year, or $23,804 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of South Florida or Hillsborough College graduates earn more?
University of South Florida graduates report a median $57,743 ten years after entry, $16,961 more than the $40,782 at Hillsborough 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, University of South Florida or Hillsborough College?
Hillsborough College: its completers carry a median $9,762 in federal loans versus $17,988 at University of South Florida, a difference of $8,226. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at University of South Florida, against 34% at Hillsborough 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.