At $7,201/yr net price, Daytona State College graduates earn $37,096/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,096/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,201 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $28,804 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,096/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,096/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,809/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,569/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,706/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,271/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,441/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,600 | $12,781 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,916 | $11,222 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,019 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $48,432 | $20,206 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $42,682 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $10,406 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $40,017 | $17,073 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $38,649 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $38,289 | $4,446 |
| Fire Protection. | Certificate | $38,289 |
The Risk Factor
41.2% of students at Daytona State College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Daytona State College keeps your costs low but your payoff depends almost entirely on what you study. Net price sits around $7,200 a year and median debt lands at $8,250, so you leave with a manageable loan even if you finish. That low debt is the school's strongest financial feature, because the median earnings ten years out barely clear $37,000.
Nursing is the clear win here. It pays more than $63,000 a year, well above every other program, and the roughly $12,800 in debt that comes with it is easy to cover on that salary. Daytona Beach and the surrounding Volusia County health systems give you a local market to land in, so the degree translates into a job close to home. If you want a return on this school, nursing is the reason to enroll.
Computer and information sciences pays around $48,000 but carries the heaviest debt on the list at over $20,000, so your net gain is thinner than the salary suggests. The two education tracks and the engineering technology program all land under $41,000. Teacher education specifically pairs low-$40,000 pay with $17,000 in debt, which makes for a slow payback. Pick these knowing the earnings ceiling is real.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 41% of students graduate, and the debt-with-no-degree outcome is the worst case at any school. You pay the tuition and get none of the salary bump.
If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $5,800 a year, and nursing turns that into a strong deal. Above $110,000 you pay closer to $11,400, and outside nursing the math gets weak fast. This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing and can commit to finishing. If you want a general degree with a soft career target, the low earnings make it a poor bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Daytona State College worth the money?
Daytona State College offers strong value with a low net price of $7,201 per year and median debt of only $8,250. However, the 41% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $37,096 after 10 years are modest unless you enter high-paying programs like nursing.
What are the best paying programs at Daytona State College?
Nursing programs at Daytona State College lead to the highest earnings, with graduates making around $63,600 annually. Dental support services and computer science also pay well at $49,019 and $48,432 respectively, making these programs worth the investment.
How much debt will I have after Daytona State College?
Daytona State College graduates typically leave with just $8,250 in debt, which is very manageable compared to most colleges. The low debt combined with affordable tuition makes this school a financially safe choice even if earnings are moderate.
Does Daytona State College have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes at Daytona State College vary significantly by program, with nursing and healthcare fields offering strong career prospects. The overall graduation rate of 41% is concerning, but students who complete programs in high-demand fields like nursing typically find good employment.