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Cheapest Physics Colleges in Florida

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Florida State University physics graduates command the highest starting salaries in the state at $50,231, nearly $20,000 more than University of Florida graduates despite UF's rock-bottom $6,351 net cost. This earnings gap highlights how different Florida physics programs prepare students for the state's growing aerospace sector, where companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and NASA's Kennedy Space Center create substantial demand for physics talent. The cost divide between public and private options spans an enormous range, from UF's bargain price to Rollins College's $33,847 net cost. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with eight schools under $11,000 in net costs. Florida's lack of state income tax means physics graduates keep more of their earnings compared to other states, making even modest starting salaries stretch further.
19
Programs
$6,351 – $40,289
Net Price Range
$39,891
Avg. Program Earnings
67.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Physics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
3 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
4 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
5 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
6 $10,353 $6,389 68.2% 70.5%
7 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
8 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
9 $15,847 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%
10 $18,675 $19,110 30.2% 69.9%
11 $21,318 $55,220 62.8% 93.8%
12 $23,655 $28,222 55.5% 44.2%
13 $26,255 $46,180 57.0% 57.7%
14 $33,011 $50,374 67.6% 65.1%
15 $33,847 $58,300 76.9% 50.0%
16 $35,300 $44,360 65.5% 64.4%
17 $35,634 $33,424 61.9% 26.4%
18 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
19 $40,289 $42,304 67.4% 64.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida such an outstanding value for physics students?

UF combines the state's lowest net cost at $6,351 with a 91.5% graduation rate and highly selective 23.35% acceptance rate. The program feeds directly into Florida's aerospace industry while maintaining small class sizes typical of top research universities. Despite the low cost, UF physics graduates enter the job market with only $13,750 in debt, well below national averages.

How do earnings vary between Florida physics programs?

Starting salaries range from $31,133 at University of Florida to $50,231 at Florida State University, a $19,098 difference. University of South Florida graduates earn $39,909, while UCF physics majors start at $38,289. The earnings data suggests that program reputation and industry connections matter as much as cost when calculating return on investment.

Is the graduation rate gap between public and private schools significant?

Public universities show graduation rates from 51.9% at FAMU to 91.5% at UF, while private schools range from 30.2% at Florida Memorial to 76.9% at Rollins. Several affordable public options like FSU (83%), UCF (75.1%), and USF (74.6%) match or exceed many private colleges. The data shows that higher cost doesn't guarantee better completion rates in Florida physics programs.

Does Florida's aerospace industry create advantages for physics graduates?

Florida's Space Coast hosts NASA operations, SpaceX launches, and Blue Origin facilities, creating unique internship and career opportunities for physics students. The state's growing defense contractors and medical device companies also hire physics graduates for research and development roles. Combined with no state income tax, physics majors in Florida often see higher take-home pay than peers in other states with similar starting salaries.

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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.