South Florida State College: $3,165 Tuition

$3,165Tuition

2,084Students

51%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$39,990Earnings

Public4-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About South Florida State College

South Florida State College serves 2,084 students in the small suburb of Avon Park, about an hour southeast of Tampa. This community college focuses on practical career training and transfer preparation for students who want to stay close to home. The campus draws entirely from Florida residents, with many students choosing SFSC as an affordable stepping stone to a four-year degree or direct entry into the workforce.

The financial picture makes sense for budget-conscious students. After aid, the average net price is $4,443, which drops to just $3,285 for families earning $30,000 to $48,000 annually. Graduates typically leave with only $7,368 in debt and monthly loan payments of $78. Ten years after graduation, the median earnings reach $39,990. For a two-year degree or certificate program, these numbers represent solid value, especially when 92.3% of graduates find employment.

Women make up 68.38% of students, and the student body is 44.53% Hispanic, 35.46% white, and 12.00% Black. The Panthers compete in four NJCAA sports with 63 total athletes. With a 17:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personal attention. The 53.85% four-year graduation rate reflects that many students transfer before completing degrees here, using SFSC as their launching pad to larger universities.

Academics & Faculty

South Florida State College operates as a community college serving central Florida with a focus on career-ready programs and transfer pathways. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class sizes where professors actually know your name, which helps explain why 53.85% of students graduate within four years. The college is known for its nursing program, which feeds into the region's healthcare system, along with strong technical programs in areas like automotive technology and business. With 2,084 students spread across practical degree programs, you'll find classmates who are serious about getting skills for immediate employment or preparing to transfer to a four-year university without breaking the bank.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Full-Time Faculty: 34.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 53.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 51.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $39,990
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$28,598

View all 62 programs →

Campus Life

South Florida State College sits in Avon Park, a small town about 90 miles southeast of Tampa and 100 miles from Orlando. With just 2,084 students, this feels more like a close-knit community than a big college experience. The campus serves primarily local students (100% are Florida residents), and many commute from nearby towns rather than living in dorms.

Central Florida's year-round warmth means you'll need sunscreen, not winter coats. Students here are practical-minded, with 68% being women and many juggling work alongside classes. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name. Weekend social life revolves around the small-town setting, with many students heading to nearby lakes for outdoor activities or driving to larger cities for entertainment. The Panthers compete in four NJCAA sports with only 63 total athletes, so games feel intimate rather than stadium-sized. With 44% Hispanic enrollment, the campus reflects the area's diverse population. This isn't a rah-rah college movie experience, but rather a practical stepping stone where students focus on getting their degree efficiently and affordably.

Setting: Suburb-Small
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 49°–73°F
July Avg: 73°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 52.7"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

South Florida State College draws students from across Florida who want affordable career training close to home. The student body is 68% women, which reflects the school's strong programs in nursing, education, and healthcare fields that traditionally attract more female students. Nearly half the students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families looking for practical degrees without crushing debt. The 45% Hispanic enrollment mirrors the demographics of central Florida, making this a true community college that reflects its local population and helps first-generation college students build careers in high-demand fields.

Men: 31.6%
Women: 68.4%
White: 35.5%
Black: 12.0%
Hispanic: 44.5%
Asian: 2.2%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.7%

Location

South Florida State College sits in Avon Park, Florida, a small city of about 10,000 people roughly 100 miles southeast of Tampa and 90 miles northwest of West Palm Beach. The campus serves students across rural Highlands County, an area known for citrus groves, cattle ranching, and several freshwater lakes. Unlike Florida's coastal college towns, Avon Park offers a quiet, inland setting where the nearest major shopping or entertainment requires a drive to Lakeland or Sebring. The college draws its entire student body from in-state, with 100% of students being Florida residents. This reflects the school's role as a local community college serving the agricultural heartland of central Florida. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare South Florida State College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Avon Park, Florida 33825-9356

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $39,990
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,676
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 46.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $78/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $7,368

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at South Florida State College?

South Florida State College admits 100% of Florida residents as an open-access community college. The school serves local students in the Avon Park area with a straightforward enrollment process designed to make higher education accessible to all state residents.

How much does South Florida State College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,443 annually at South Florida State College. Nearly 44% of students receive Pell Grants, and families earning under $48,000 often pay less than $4,000 per year thanks to generous need-based aid.

What is the student-faculty ratio at South Florida State College?

South Florida State College maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio with 2,084 total students. The college emphasizes personalized attention and hands-on learning in career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment or transfer to four-year universities.

What are the job prospects for South Florida State College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 92.3% employment rate with median earnings of $39,990 ten years after enrollment. The college focuses on practical career training in high-demand fields, helping students enter the workforce quickly with relatively low debt burdens averaging $7,368.

Where is South Florida State College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Avon Park, a small suburban Florida community where 68% of students are women. Campus life centers around academic success rather than traditional college activities, though the Panthers compete in four NJCAA sports with 63 total athletes.

Does South Florida State College serve a diverse student population?

Hispanic students comprise 44.53% of enrollment while white students make up 35.46% and Black students represent 12% of the student body. This diversity reflects the changing demographics of central Florida and creates a multicultural learning environment for career preparation.