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St Petersburg College offers business students a net price of negative $52, meaning financial aid exceeds the total cost of attendance. This unusual arrangement reflects Florida's commitment to affordable education through state funding and the Bright Futures scholarship program. The state's 15 most affordable Business Administration, Management and Operations programs range from this negative cost to $5,939 at Eastern Florida State College. Florida's business market creates strong demand for management graduates, particularly in tourism, hospitality, and healthcare sectors that employ millions across the state. University of Florida-Online delivers the highest graduate earnings at $44,821 with a 77.7% completion rate, proving that affordable doesn't mean compromising quality. Most programs cluster between $2,254 and $5,939 in net costs, making business education accessible to Florida residents. The absence of state income tax means graduates keep more of their earnings, improving the return on investment for these affordable programs.
50
Programs
$-52 – $20,494
Net Price Range
$39,095
Avg. Program Earnings
50.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $832 $3,120 61.3%
3 $2,254 $2,348 42.0%
4 $2,339 $2,370 44.8%
5 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
6 $4,443 $3,165 51.1%
7 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
8 $5,154 $3,155 42.9%
9 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
10 $5,455 $14,180
11 $5,554 $3,246 42.9%
12 $5,742 $3,292 44.7%
13 $5,808 $2,830 45.7%
14 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
15 $5,939 $2,496 51.2%
16 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
17 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
18 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
19 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
20 $8,249 $3,401 38.5%
21 $8,829 $13,800 69.2% 92.1%
22 $9,027 $3,366 34.0%
23 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
24 $9,832 $3,050 41.2%
25 $9,899 $4,940 53.0% 56.0%
26 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
27 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
28 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
29 $10,399 $2,474 43.5%
30 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
31 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
32 $11,154 $2,563 52.1%
33 $12,310 $2,710 44.0%
34 $13,580 $14,878 28.0% 83.5%
35 $13,818 $3,279 40.8%
36 $14,507 $9,285 100.0%
37 $14,892 $14,794 27.8% 85.0%
38 $15,245 $9,810 75.0%
39 $15,847 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
40 $17,872 $13,150 87.4%
41 $18,467 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
42 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
43 $19,113 $15,117 51.0%
44 $19,273 $14,300 44.2% 49.6%
45 $19,733 $11,665 21.6% 57.7%
46 $19,758 $13,420 45.5% 94.3%
47 $20,040 $14,262 8.3%
48 $20,077 $2,830 36.1%
49 $20,486 $13,420 93.8%
50 $20,494 $18,238 21.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's business program cost negative $52?

St Petersburg College's net price reaches negative $52 because financial aid packages exceed the total cost of attendance. This means eligible students receive more in grants, scholarships, and other aid than they pay in tuition and fees. The school's in-state tuition costs $2,682, but federal Pell Grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships can total more than this amount. Graduates earn an average of $43,696, making this an strong value.

How do graduation rates compare among Florida's cheapest business programs?

University of Florida-Online achieves the highest graduation rate at 77.7% despite charging $4,702 in net costs. Among the most affordable options, Chipola College leads with 61.3% completion and just $832 net cost. Traditional community colleges typically range from 32.4% to 51.2% completion rates. The wide variation suggests that institutional support and student engagement matter more than price alone.

Does attending a cheaper program mean lower earning potential?

University of Florida-Online proves that affordable programs can deliver strong earnings, with graduates earning $44,821 annually. However, South Florida State College graduates average just $28,598 despite reasonable costs. St Petersburg College graduates earn $43,696 while paying negative net costs. The earnings range spans $16,223 across these affordable programs, showing that institutional reputation and location affect outcomes more than tuition prices.

Where do Florida business graduates find the best job opportunities?

Florida's tourism industry employs over 1.5 million people, creating management opportunities in hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Healthcare systems across the state need administrative professionals as the population ages. The aerospace industry around Cape Canaveral and defense contractors throughout Florida hire business graduates. Miami serves as a gateway to Latin American markets, while Jacksonville's port operations require logistics and supply chain managers.

What student debt levels should graduates expect from these programs?

Student debt varies dramatically among Florida's affordable business programs, from $7,250 at Pensacola State College to $29,239 at Saint Johns River State College. University of Florida-Online graduates carry $15,000 in debt while earning the highest salaries. Many community college programs keep debt under $20,000, making monthly payments manageable on typical starting salaries. The debt-to-income ratios remain favorable across most programs due to reasonable borrowing amounts.

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