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St Petersburg College stands out among Florida finance programs by actually paying students to attend, with a net cost of negative $52 after aid. This remarkable situation exists alongside much higher costs at private institutions like Stetson University, where students pay $21,318 net annually for their finance education. The University of Florida graduates earn $59,318 annually, nearly double the $32,569 earned by University of West Florida alumni. Florida's finance job market benefits from the state's absence of income tax, making graduates' take-home pay more competitive than peers in other states. Major employers including Raymond James, SunTrust, and TD Ameritrade maintain significant operations across Florida's metropolitan areas, creating steady demand for finance professionals. The Bright Futures scholarship program further reduces costs for high-achieving students, making Florida public universities particularly attractive for finance studies. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from 27.8% at Bethune-Cookman University to 91.5% at the University of Florida, suggesting that institutional selectivity correlates strongly with student success in finance programs.
30
Programs
$-52 – $38,222
Net Price Range
$48,719
Avg. Program Earnings
54.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

30 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
3 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
4 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
5 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
6 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
7 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
8 $10,319 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
9 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
10 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
11 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
12 $14,892 $14,794 27.8% 85.0%
13 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
14 $19,113 $15,117 51.0%
15 $21,318 $55,220 62.8% 93.8%
16 $22,602 $15,580 22.4%
17 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
18 $23,629 $16,088 28.1%
19 $23,655 $28,222 55.5% 44.2%
20 $24,275 $34,770 43.4% 65.2%
21 $26,255 $46,180 57.0% 57.7%
22 $29,932 $32,150 26.0% 49.0%
23 $29,951 $26,610 55.9% 81.0%
24 $30,209 $31,732 43.3% 60.9%
25 $31,303 $37,080 64.3% 75.8%
26 $32,751 $37,990 58.9% 94.7%
27 $35,300 $44,360 65.5% 64.4%
28 $35,634 $33,424 61.9% 26.4%
29 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
30 $38,222 $42,950 52.7% 80.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St Petersburg College's net cost reaches negative $52 because federal and state aid exceeds the actual cost of attendance. This community college charges just $2,682 in tuition for state residents, and grants cover more than the total educational expenses. Students essentially receive money back after all costs are covered. The program maintains a 37.5% graduation rate while providing one of the most affordable entry points into finance education.

How do University of Florida graduates compare earnings-wise to other schools?

University of Florida finance graduates earn $59,318 annually, the highest among all Florida programs in this field. This exceeds University of West Florida graduates by $26,749 annually, despite both being public institutions. Florida International University graduates earn $49,482, while Florida State University produces $50,894 average salaries. The 23.35% acceptance rate at UF suggests this earnings advantage stems partly from highly selective admissions.

Is the cost difference between public and private finance programs significant in Florida?

Private institutions cost substantially more than public options for finance education in Florida. Stetson University charges $21,318 net compared to public schools ranging from negative $52 to $10,997. Florida Memorial University costs $18,675 net while nearby Florida International University charges just $9,133. The 12:1 cost ratio between the most expensive private and least expensive public option represents one of the largest gaps in higher education.

Does Florida's tax structure benefit finance graduates more than other states?

Florida's absence of state income tax increases take-home pay for finance graduates compared to most other states. A graduate earning $50,000 in Florida keeps approximately $3,500 more annually than peers in states with 7% income taxes. This advantage becomes more significant as salaries increase, with University of Florida graduates earning $59,318 potentially saving over $4,150 yearly. The tax benefit effectively reduces the real cost of student loans and living expenses.

Where do graduation rates vary most among Florida finance programs?

Graduation rates span from 27.8% at Bethune-Cookman University to 91.5% at the University of Florida, a 63.7 percentage point difference. Florida State University achieves 83% graduation rates with 25% acceptance rates, while Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates 32.4% of students. Private institutions generally show lower completion rates than selective public universities. Students at highly selective programs complete degrees at nearly triple the rate of open-access institutions.

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