Cheapest Computer Engineering Colleges in Florida

University of Florida computer engineering graduates earn $77,715 annually while paying just $6,351 in net costs, making it the state's best value by a wide margin. The next closest option, Florida Atlantic University, costs $8,001 but produces graduates earning $19,494 less per year. Florida's aerospace sector, anchored by Kennedy Space Center and defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, creates strong demand for computer engineers who can work on satellite systems and avionics. Private institutions like Nova Southeastern University charge $31,303 in net costs, nearly five times more than UF. Among the 19 programs statewide, public universities dominate the affordable options, with nine of the top ten spots costing under $11,000 annually. The state's lack of income tax means computer engineering graduates keep more of their salaries compared to other states, making even modest starting wages more attractive.

Programs

$6,351 – $40,289

Net Price Range

$64,692

Avg. Program Earnings

60.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Computer Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
2	Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida	$8,001	$4,879	64.3%	81.3%
3	University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida	$8,155	$6,360	61.8%	48.0%
4	Florida International University Miami, Florida	$9,133	$6,565	73.9%	63.9%
5	Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, Florida	$9,899	$4,940	53.0%	56.0%
6	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
7	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$10,319	$6,118	56.0%	74.4%
8	University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida	$10,650	$6,368	75.1%	41.0%
9	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997	$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
10	Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Florida	$14,892	$14,794	27.8%	85.0%
11	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
12	Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico-Orlando Orlando, Florida	$20,040	$14,262	8.3%
13	Atlantis University Miami, Florida	$20,767	$12,720	61.3%
14	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$31,303	$37,080	64.3%	75.8%
15	Full Sail University Winter Park, Florida	$31,759	$26,417	49.6%
16	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$34,439	$24,136	44.2%	96.5%
17	Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida	$35,300	$44,360	65.5%	64.4%
18	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803	$59,926	84.2%	18.9%
19	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Daytona Beach, Florida	$40,289	$42,304	67.4%	64.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive cost difference between University of Florida and other programs?

University of Florida charges $6,351 in net costs while maintaining a 91.50% graduation rate and producing the highest-earning graduates at $77,715 annually. The university's 23.35% acceptance rate reflects its selectivity, which helps maintain program quality while keeping costs low through state funding. Most other public options like Florida International University ($9,133) and University of South Florida ($10,043) cost significantly more despite producing graduates who earn $5,000 to $9,000 less per year.

How do Florida's computer engineering salaries compare to program costs?

The return on investment varies dramatically across Florida programs. University of Florida graduates earn $77,715 with just $20,447 in debt, while Florida International University graduates earn $72,274 with only $18,124 in debt. Florida State University graduates earn $71,015 annually but carry $23,250 in debt after paying $10,997 in net costs. Private institutions like Full Sail University charge $31,759 but graduates earn significantly less than their public counterparts.

Does Florida's job market support computer engineering graduates?

Florida's aerospace industry, centered around Kennedy Space Center and defense contractors, creates strong demand for computer engineers skilled in embedded systems and avionics. The state's growing tech sector in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando also provides opportunities in software development and systems architecture. With no state income tax, a computer engineer earning $70,000 in Florida keeps more take-home pay than counterparts in states like California or New York. The tourism and healthcare industries also increasingly rely on technology infrastructure, expanding job opportunities beyond traditional engineering firms.

What accounts for the low graduation rates at some Florida programs?

Several Florida programs show concerning graduation rates, with Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico-Orlando at just 8.30% and Bethune-Cookman University at 27.80%. Florida Polytechnic University, despite being public and relatively affordable at $9,899, has only a 53.00% graduation rate. In contrast, University of Florida maintains a 91.50% graduation rate and Florida State University reaches 83.00%. These differences often reflect varying admission standards, student support services, and program rigor rather than just cost factors.

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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.