At $29,664/yr net price, Florida Southern College graduates earn $55,294/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,294/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,664 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $118,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,294/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,294/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,266/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,913/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,634/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,479/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,331/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. | Master | $97,959 | $55,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,020 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,020 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,846 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $45,383 | $40,306 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $42,030 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,821 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $23,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $37,928 | $25,710 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $22,875 |
The Risk Factor
69.3% of students at Florida Southern College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Florida Southern College leaves you with a mixed financial picture. You pay a private-college net price but land median earnings that sit closer to what a mid-tier public school delivers. The 69% graduation rate and 78% retention mean most of you finish, which lowers the risk of paying tuition and walking away with debt but no degree. The $25,000 median debt is manageable against $55,294 in median earnings a decade out.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear win: $61,020 with debt right around the school median, so the payoff lands fast in Lakeland's and central Florida's hospital market. Computer Science nearly matches it at $59,846. Both put you well above the school's overall earnings number.
The teaching and business programs are where the math gets hard. Business Administration graduates earn $38,289, and the two teacher education tracks land near $41,000 to $42,000, with the teaching majors carrying $27,000 in debt against those low salaries. You would pay full private-college prices for outcomes that trail the school median by roughly $14,000 a year. If you enroll here for education or general business, run the numbers before you commit.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $23,266. over $110k, you pay $34,331. That $11,000 spread means the sticker shock hits highest earners hardest, while the aid narrows the gap for families with less.
Florida Southern fits you if you are heading into nursing or computer science and plan to work in Florida. Look elsewhere if you want to teach or major in general business, where the debt outruns the paycheck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida Southern College worth the money?
Florida Southern College's $29,664 annual net price leads to median earnings of $55,294 after 10 years, which is modest for a private college. The 69% graduation rate and $25,000 median debt load suggest reasonable value, but returns depend heavily on your major.
What are the highest paying majors at Florida Southern College?
Nursing programs at Florida Southern College offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning nearly $98,000 annually. Business administration and computer science graduates earn around $60,000, while education majors see lower returns at $45,000.
How much debt do Florida Southern College graduates have?
Florida Southern College graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With average post-graduation earnings of $55,294, most graduates can handle this debt load reasonably well.
Does Florida Southern College have good job placement after graduation?
Florida Southern College's 69% graduation rate indicates that about one-third of students don't finish their degree, which affects overall value. The college performs best for nursing and healthcare programs, where job demand is strong in Florida.