Cheapest Public Health Colleges in Florida

St Petersburg College stands out among Florida's public health programs with a net cost of negative $52, meaning students receive more financial aid than they pay in tuition. This remarkable outlier contrasts sharply with private institutions where costs reach $33,847 at Rollins College. Florida's healthcare sector, bolstered by an aging population and major medical centers like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida, creates strong demand for public health professionals. The University of Florida maintains the highest graduation rate at 91.5% while keeping net costs under $6,500. State programs generally produce better outcomes than private alternatives, with UF and USF graduates earning over $32,000 annually. The Bright Futures scholarship program helps explain why public institutions dominate the affordable options, covering tuition for qualifying students and making quality education accessible across the state's 18 public health programs.

Programs

$-52 – $36,803

Net Price Range

$33,082

Avg. Program Earnings

54.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Public Health Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, Florida	$-52	$2,682	37.5%
2	University of Florida-Online Gainesville, Florida	$4,702	$3,876	77.7%	64.6%
3	Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, Florida	$5,939	$2,496	51.2%
4	University of Florida Gainesville, Florida	$6,351	$6,381	91.5%	23.4%
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	Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida	$10,997	$5,656	83.0%	25.0%
8	Rasmussen University-Florida Ocala, Florida	$19,113	$15,117	51.0%
9	South University-West Palm Beach Royal Palm Beach, Florida	$20,494	$18,238	21.4%
10	Hodges University Fort Myers, Florida	$22,602	$15,580	22.4%
11	Florida National University-Main Campus Hialeah, Florida	$23,629	$16,088	28.1%
12	South University-Tampa Tampa, Florida	$24,280	$18,238	4.5%
13	Everglades University Boca Raton, Florida	$27,704	$20,768	57.8%	70.4%
14	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$31,303	$37,080	64.3%	75.8%
15	Rollins College Winter Park, Florida	$33,847	$58,300	76.9%	50.0%
16	Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, Florida	$34,439	$24,136	44.2%	96.5%
17	The University of Tampa Tampa, Florida	$35,634	$33,424	61.9%	26.4%
18	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803	$59,926	84.2%	18.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's public health program financially attractive?

St Petersburg College offers a negative net cost of $52, meaning students receive more in financial aid than they pay for attendance. The in-state tuition of just $2,682 combined with generous aid packages creates this unusual situation. Graduates earn $42,682 annually, the highest among Florida's public health programs. However, the graduation rate of 37.5% indicates students should carefully consider their academic preparation before enrolling.

How do graduation rates compare between public and private public health programs in Florida?

Public universities significantly outperform private institutions in graduation rates for public health programs. The University of Florida leads with 91.5%, followed by Florida State at 83% and USF at 74.6%. Private schools struggle considerably, with South University-Tampa achieving only 4.5% and South University-West Palm Beach at 21.4%. This 20-to-1 difference suggests public institutions provide better support systems and academic preparation for public health students.

Does the University of Florida's online program offer the same value as the traditional campus?

UF Online provides nearly identical outcomes to the main campus program while costing less. Both versions produce graduates earning $32,162 annually with similar debt levels of $15,454. The online program has a 77.7% graduation rate compared to 91.5% for traditional students, and accepts 64.6% of applicants versus 23.4% for the main campus. The $1,649 difference in net cost makes the online option particularly attractive for budget-conscious students.

What salary expectations should public health graduates have in Florida?

Public health graduates in Florida earn between $26,187 and $42,682 annually based on program data. St Petersburg College graduates achieve the highest earnings at $42,682, while Florida Gulf Coast University graduates start at $26,187. Major public universities like UF and USF produce graduates earning around $32,000 annually. These salaries align well with Florida's healthcare job market, where the lack of state income tax effectively increases take-home pay compared to other states.

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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.