Cheapest Economics Colleges in Florida

University of Florida delivers the nation's best value for economics education at just $6,351 net cost while producing graduates who earn $48,265 annually. This combination of low cost and high earnings creates an unusual opportunity in Florida's growing economy, where tourism revenue exceeds $100 billion annually and creates substantial demand for economic analysis. The state's public universities dominate affordability rankings, with nine of the top ten programs charging under $11,000 net cost. Private institutions like Ave Maria University charge $23,655 but still produce competitive earnings of $48,041. Florida's lack of state income tax means economics graduates keep more of their paychecks compared to other states. The gap between public and private costs reaches $15,000 annually, making state universities particularly attractive for budget-conscious students entering a field where analytical skills support major industries from aerospace in Central Florida to international trade in Miami.

Programs

$6,351 – $36,803

Net Price Range

$42,687

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Economics 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	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
6	Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida	$10,319	$6,118	56.0%	74.4%
7	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
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	Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida	$15,847	$5,785	51.9%	32.9%
11	Strayer University-Florida Tampa, Florida	$17,518	$13,920
12	Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Florida	$18,467	$28,360	48.8%	80.1%
13	Stetson University DeLand, Florida	$21,318	$55,220	62.8%	93.8%
14	Ave Maria University Ave Maria, Florida	$23,655	$28,222	55.5%	44.2%
15	St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida	$24,275	$34,770	43.4%	65.2%
16	Schiller International University Tampa, Florida	$24,840	$13,680	50.0%
17	Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida	$26,255	$46,180	57.0%	57.7%
18	Florida Southern College Lakeland, Florida	$29,664	$42,360	69.3%	56.6%
19	Flagler College Saint Augustine, Florida	$29,951	$26,610	55.9%	81.0%
20	Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, Florida	$33,011	$50,374	67.6%	65.1%
21	Rollins College Winter Park, Florida	$33,847	$58,300	76.9%	50.0%
22	The University of Tampa Tampa, Florida	$35,634	$33,424	61.9%	26.4%
23	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803	$59,926	84.2%	18.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida's economics program such good value at $6,351?

UF combines the lowest net cost among Florida economics programs with strong graduate earnings of $48,265. The 91.50% graduation rate indicates excellent student support despite highly selective 23.35% acceptance rate. Students graduate with just $15,000 in debt, well below the state average.

How do public university costs compare to private schools for economics in Florida?

Public universities average under $11,000 net cost while private institutions start around $18,000 and reach $24,275 at St. Thomas University. The cost difference exceeds $15,000 annually in many cases. However, schools like Ave Maria University show that some private programs produce competitive graduate earnings of $48,041.

Does Florida's job market support economics graduates effectively?

Graduate earnings range from $36,221 to $52,107 across programs, reflecting varied career paths in tourism, healthcare, and international trade. Florida's lack of state income tax increases take-home pay significantly. The state's $100+ billion tourism industry and major ports create steady demand for economic analysis and forecasting.

Is financial aid available specifically for Florida economics students?

The Bright Futures scholarship program covers full tuition for high-achieving Florida residents at state universities. This benefit explains why in-state tuition at schools like FSU costs just $5,656 annually. Merit-based aid makes already affordable public programs even more accessible for qualified students.

Where do graduation rates vary most among affordable economics programs?

Graduation rates span from 43.40% at St. Thomas University to 91.50% at University of Florida. Public universities generally maintain higher completion rates, with UF, FSU, and UCF all exceeding 75%. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University shows 51.90% completion despite reasonable $15,847 net cost.

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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.