Chipola College: $3,120 Tuition

$3,120Tuition

1,218Students

61%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$37,378Earnings

#22 in FloridaPublic4-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Chipola College

Chipola College serves 1,218 students in rural northwest Florida with a focus on affordable education and practical career training. The college has built its reputation as a stepping stone for students seeking transfer opportunities to four-year universities or direct entry into the workforce. With 90% of students coming from in-state, this community college maintains deep ties to the local region. The small-town setting in Marianna creates an intimate learning environment with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio.

Students pay remarkably little to attend Chipola College, with the average net price just $832 after financial aid. For families earning under $30,000, the net cost drops to only $118 per year. This makes it one of the most affordable college options in Florida. Graduates earn a median of $37,378 ten years after enrollment, providing solid returns on their minimal investment. The 94% employment rate shows that Chipola effectively prepares students for the job market.

The college offers five varsity sports through NJCAA competition, with 78 student athletes receiving $914,936 in athletic scholarships. Women make up 60% of the student body, reflecting trends in community college enrollment nationwide. The 56% four-year graduation rate is competitive for a community college serving a rural population.

Academics & Faculty

Chipola College serves as a stepping stone for students in rural northwest Florida, with strong transfer programs that prepare students for four-year universities. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to instructors in this community college setting. About 56% of students complete their programs within four years, which reflects the mix of career training and transfer preparation the school offers. The college focuses heavily on workforce development for the region, offering practical programs in health sciences, business, and technical fields. With just 1,218 students, classes stay manageable and professors know their students personally. Most graduates either transfer to continue their education or enter the local job market with career-focused credentials.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 46.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 56.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 61.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $37,378
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$46,673
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$34,908
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$32,925
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	Certificate	$20,824
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$16,169

View all 32 programs →

Campus Life

Chipola College sits in the quiet town of Marianna, about 60 miles west of Tallahassee in Florida's rural Panhandle. With just 99 students living in on-campus housing out of 1,218 total enrollment, this is overwhelmingly a commuter campus where most students drive home each day. The small-town setting means limited nightlife, so weekends often involve outdoor activities like fishing or heading to nearby state parks.

The humid subtropical climate keeps temperatures mild through winter, though you'll need a light jacket for cooler mornings from December through February. Summers are hot and humid, making air conditioning essential. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio creates a close-knit academic environment where professors know students by name. With 90.10% of students coming from in-state, many already have local connections and jobs in the community. Social life centers around the five varsity sports teams, which draw 78 student-athletes, and campus events that bring together a diverse student body that's 60.34% female and includes significant representation from Black and Hispanic communities in northwest Florida.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 99 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 40°–62°F
July Avg: 73°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 51.1"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Chipola draws heavily from northwest Florida's rural communities, with nine out of ten students staying close to home for affordable education. Women make up about 60% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's health sciences and education programs. The school serves a diverse mix of white, Black, and Hispanic students from working-class families seeking career training or transfer preparation. Most students work while attending classes, balancing studies with jobs in the region's agricultural and service industries. This creates a practical, no-nonsense campus culture focused on concrete career outcomes.

Men: 39.7%
Women: 60.3%
White: 65.9%
Black: 15.9%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 90.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 26.9%

Location

Chipola College sits in Marianna, a small town in Florida's rural panhandle about 60 miles west of Tallahassee. The campus serves northwest Florida's agricultural region, where cotton fields and timber operations dominate the landscape. With 90.10% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from surrounding rural communities. Marianna itself has fewer than 10,000 residents and maintains a quiet, small-town atmosphere. The area offers outdoor recreation along the Chipola River, but students seeking urban amenities must travel to larger cities. The region's economy centers on agriculture and forestry rather than technology or finance. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare Chipola College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Marianna, Florida 32446-2053

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $37,378
Median Earnings (5 years): $44,874
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 46.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Chipola College?

Chipola College operates as an open-admission community college, meaning they accept all students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school serves rural northwest Florida with 1,218 students enrolled across various programs. Most students are Florida residents, with 90.10% coming from in-state.

How much does Chipola College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Chipola College is just $832, making it extremely affordable for most families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $118 per year after aid. In-state tuition starts at $3,120, and the total cost of attendance including room and board is $8,480.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Chipola College?

Chipola College maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, providing reasonably small class sizes for a community college. The school focuses on transfer programs and career training for students in rural northwest Florida. Women make up 60.34% of the student body, while men represent 39.66%.

What are the graduation and employment rates at Chipola College?

Chipola College has a 61.30% six-year graduation rate and a strong 94.0% employment rate for graduates. Graduates earn a median of $37,378 ten years after graduation. The school emphasizes career preparation and transfer pathways to four-year universities.

Does Chipola College offer on-campus housing?

Chipola College has limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 99 students. Room and board costs $4,560 per year for those who live on campus. Most of the 1,218 students commute from the surrounding rural communities in northwest Florida.

What athletic programs does Chipola College offer?

Chipola College competes in the NJCAA with 5 varsity sports and 78 total athletes. The school awards $914,936 in athletic scholarships annually. The teams are known as the Indians and represent one of the smaller athletic programs in Florida community college athletics.