Best Value Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Colleges in Florida

Florida's health sciences programs deliver remarkable return on investment, with graduates at Nova Southeastern University earning $54,322 annually while University of Florida students pay just $6,351 net cost for comparable training. The 19 programs across the state reflect Florida's status as a retirement destination where healthcare employment grows faster than the national average. Public universities dominate the value equation, with eight schools charging under $11,000 net cost while maintaining strong industry connections to major health systems like AdventHealth and Baptist Health. The earnings gap tells an interesting story, spanning from $22,839 to $54,322, often correlating with program specialization rather than cost. Florida's lack of state income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings compared to other states, making even modest starting salaries more competitive in take-home pay.

Programs

$3,119 – $36,803

Net Price Range

$30,573

Avg. Program Earnings

62.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida	$8,155	$31,547	$6,360	61.8%	48.0%
2	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$23,166	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
3	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$10,319	$36,560	$6,118	56.0%	74.4%
4	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$31,431	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
5	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$31,818	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
6	University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida	$10,650	$22,839	$6,368	75.1%	41.0%
7	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$31,303	$54,322	$37,080	64.3%	75.8%
8	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$25,194	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
9	Stetson University DeLand, Florida	$21,318	$23,649	$55,220	62.8%	93.8%
10	AdventHealth University Orlando, Florida	$31,885	$27,181	$20,880	35.6%	33.7%
11	The University of Tampa Tampa, Florida	$35,634	$28,598	$33,424	61.9%	26.4%
12	Ave Maria University Ave Maria, Florida	$23,655		$28,222	55.5%	44.2%
13	Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, Florida	$3,119		$3,227	42.0%
14	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803		$59,926	84.2%	18.9%
15	Miami Dade College Miami, Florida	$5,929		$2,838	44.7%
16	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$34,439		$24,136	44.2%	96.5%
17	Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida	$26,255		$46,180	57.0%	57.7%
18	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997		$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
19	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001		$4,879	64.3%	81.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $48,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

Nova Southeastern University graduates earn $54,322 while University of Central Florida graduates start at $22,839, reflecting different program focuses within health sciences. NSU's private status allows for specialized tracks in higher-paying fields like healthcare administration and clinical research. The university's location in Fort Lauderdale provides access to major medical centers and pharmaceutical companies. Public universities often emphasize broader foundational training that leads to entry-level positions with growth potential.

How do Florida's public universities compare on net cost for health sciences programs?

Seminole State College offers the lowest net cost at $3,119, followed by University of Florida at $6,351, making them strong values for health sciences education. Most Florida public universities cluster between $6,000-$11,000 in net cost, with University of Central Florida at $10,650 representing the higher end. The Bright Futures scholarship program helps qualified students attend these schools with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University charges $15,847 net cost, reflecting additional support services and smaller class sizes.

Is University of Florida worth considering despite lower graduate earnings?

UF graduates earn $23,166 initially but benefit from the school's 91.50% graduation rate, the highest among all programs listed. The university's strong alumni network and research opportunities often lead to faster career advancement than starting salary suggests. At $6,351 net cost with only $15,000 in student debt, UF provides excellent financial positioning for graduate school or immediate employment. The Gainesville location offers clinical rotations at Shands Hospital, one of Florida's premier medical centers.

Where do graduates find the best debt-to-earnings ratios in Florida health sciences?

University of Florida and University of North Florida both show $15,000 median debt with earnings of $23,166 and $31,818 respectively, creating manageable debt loads. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates earn $36,560 with $17,515 in debt, representing strong return on investment. Nova Southeastern University's $54,322 earnings justify higher educational costs for students who can manage the financial commitment. Community colleges like Seminole State offer debt levels around $15,000 while providing direct pathways into the workforce.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.