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Florida's computer science education spans a remarkable cost spectrum, with Seminole State College offering programs for just $3,119 annually while others reach $18,467. University of Florida graduates command the highest starting salaries at $79,037, nearly triple the $31,133 earned by Indian River State College alumni. This wide variation reflects different program depths and career pathways within the field. Florida's growing tech sector, anchored by companies in Tampa's Westshore district and Orlando's tech corridor, creates steady demand for programming, cybersecurity, and data analysis skills. The state's Bright Futures scholarship program particularly benefits computer science students, often covering full tuition at public institutions for high achievers. Miami Dade College demonstrates how community colleges serve as affordable entry points, while University of Florida's 91.5% graduation rate shows the value of established programs. With no state income tax, Florida graduates keep more of their earnings compared to peers in other states.
37
Programs
$3,119 – $36,576
Net Price Range
$54,002
Avg. Program Earnings
53.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Computer and Information Sciences, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,119 $3,227 42.0%
2 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
3 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
4 $5,929 $2,838 44.7%
5 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
6 $7,201 $3,106 41.2%
7 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
8 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
9 $8,249 $3,401 38.5%
10 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
11 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
12 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
13 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
14 $10,399 $2,474 43.5%
15 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
16 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
17 $11,154 $2,563 52.1%
18 $15,847 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
19 $17,518 $13,920
20 $18,467 $28,360 48.8% 80.1%
21 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
22 $20,077 $2,830 36.1%
23 $21,318 $55,220 62.8% 93.8%
24 $22,602 $15,580 22.4%
25 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
26 $23,629 $16,088 28.1%
27 $24,026 $14,742 49.7%
28 $24,275 $34,770 43.4% 65.2%
29 $26,255 $46,180 57.0% 57.7%
30 $29,932 $32,150 26.0% 49.0%
31 $31,303 $37,080 64.3% 75.8%
32 $31,759 $26,417 49.6%
33 $32,751 $37,990 58.9% 94.7%
34 $33,847 $58,300 76.9% 50.0%
35 $34,439 $24,136 44.2% 96.5%
36 $35,634 $33,424 61.9% 26.4%
37 $36,576 $49,230 57.3% 51.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida's online program different from its traditional campus option?

Both University of Florida programs share identical graduation rates of 77.7% for online and 91.5% for campus students, with graduates earning $79,037 annually. The online program costs $4,702 compared to $6,351 for on-campus study. The main difference lies in acceptance rates, with the online program accepting 64.64% of applicants while the traditional campus accepts just 23.35%.

How do community college computer science programs compare to university options in Florida?

Community colleges like Seminole State College charge significantly less at $3,119 annually compared to university programs averaging $8,000-$10,000. However, graduation rates differ substantially, with community colleges averaging 42% compared to universities at 60-75%. Graduates from community college programs typically earn $31,000-$52,000 while university graduates start around $50,000-$79,000.

Does the Bright Futures scholarship cover computer science tuition costs?

Bright Futures covers 75-100% of tuition at Florida public universities, which ranges from $2,474 at Valencia College to $6,565 at Florida International University. For top scholars, this means programs at University of Florida or Florida International University become essentially free. The scholarship particularly benefits students pursuing four-year degrees since it covers full tuition for Academic Scholars.

Where do Florida computer science graduates find the best job opportunities?

Tampa Bay and Orlando lead Florida's tech employment, with companies like Jabil, Tech Data, and Electronic Arts providing entry-level positions starting around $45,000-$60,000. Miami's financial technology sector offers higher salaries but also higher living costs. University of Florida graduates earning $79,037 often secure positions with aerospace contractors near Kennedy Space Center or defense technology firms in the Panhandle region.

Is student debt a major concern for computer science students in Florida?

Student debt varies dramatically across Florida programs, from $7,000 at Indian River State College to $22,500 at University of South Florida. Most graduates carry debt between $15,000-$20,000, which represents roughly 25-40% of their first-year salaries. Community college graduates typically carry the least debt but also earn lower starting salaries, while university graduates balance higher debt against significantly better earning potential.

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