The cost of college in Florida — and what it pays back
Across the 166 Florida institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,812/yr, $2,906 above the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $38,539 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 40 of the 166 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$19,812
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$38,539
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
6.5 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
40/166
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Florida's 166 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong17
Solid6
Slow8
Weak135
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida-Online | $4,815 | $71,588 | 0.8 yrs |
| University of Florida | $6,541 | $71,588 | 1.1 yrs |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | $18,725 | $84,131 | 2.1 yrs |
| West Coast University-Miami | $32,539 | $102,672 | 2.4 yrs |
| Chamberlain University-Florida | $31,269 | $92,405 | 2.8 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Florida College | $804 | $33,929 | no payback |
| Radford M Locklin Technical College | $987 | $35,997 | no payback |
| Chipola College | $1,133 | $37,378 | no payback |
| Cape Coral Technical College | $1,463 | $36,080 | no payback |
| St Petersburg College | $1,471 | $42,557 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Florida?
The median net price across Florida colleges is $19,812/yr after aid — above the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Florida cheaper than the national average?
No — the median Florida net price of $19,812/yr runs about $2,906/yr above the $16,906 national median. Individual schools vary widely, so check each profile.
What do Florida college graduates earn?
A median $38,539 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Florida college pays for itself fastest?
University of Florida-Online — about 0.8 years to clear its $19,260 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-florida page.