About South University-West Palm Beach
South University-West Palm Beach serves 284 students in Royal Palm Beach, focusing on career-oriented programs in healthcare and business fields. This for-profit institution draws heavily from Florida's diverse communities, with women making up 80% of the student body. The quarter system allows for accelerated degree completion, though only 13.5% of students graduate within four years. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in small classroom settings.
Students face significant financial challenges at this institution. The average net price reaches $20,494 annually, while graduates earn a median of $34,421 ten years after enrollment. Students typically graduate with $26,123 in debt and monthly loan payments of $277. Only 25% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on time. The high cost relative to earning potential creates a concerning value proposition for most students.
The retention numbers tell a troubling story about student satisfaction and success. Just 43% of first-year students return for their sophomore year, indicating many find the academic environment or financial burden unsustainable. Nearly 57% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the economically vulnerable population this institution serves. Despite a 95% employment rate after graduation, the combination of low completion rates and challenging debt burdens raises questions about long-term student outcomes.
Students face significant financial challenges at this institution. The average net price reaches $20,494 annually, while graduates earn a median of $34,421 ten years after enrollment. Students typically graduate with $26,123 in debt and monthly loan payments of $277. Only 25% of borrowers successfully repay their loans on time. The high cost relative to earning potential creates a concerning value proposition for most students.
The retention numbers tell a troubling story about student satisfaction and success. Just 43% of first-year students return for their sophomore year, indicating many find the academic environment or financial burden unsustainable. Nearly 57% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the economically vulnerable population this institution serves. Despite a 95% employment rate after graduation, the combination of low completion rates and challenging debt burdens raises questions about long-term student outcomes.
Academics & Faculty
South University-West Palm Beach focuses on career-oriented programs in healthcare, business, and technology fields. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in small classes. However, only 21.4% of students graduate within six years, reflecting the challenges many working adults face completing their degrees. The school primarily serves students pursuing practical credentials rather than traditional liberal arts education. With 80.3% female enrollment, nursing and healthcare administration draw the largest student populations. The quarter system allows for accelerated coursework, though the 42.9% retention rate suggests many students struggle with the intensive pace or find better academic fits elsewhere.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 52.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 13.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 21.4%
- Retention Rate
- 42.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $34,421
- Carnegie Classification
- Associate College (High Career)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,613 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,883 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $45,207 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,489 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $42,799 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,986 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $37,478 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $36,598 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $34,420 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $33,616 |
Campus Life
South University's West Palm Beach campus sits in Royal Palm Beach, about 20 minutes inland from the coast and 80 miles north of Miami. The 284 students here experience year-round warmth where winter coats are unnecessary but sunscreen is essential. Women make up 80.28% of the student body, creating a predominantly female environment focused on healthcare and business programs.
This for-profit institution operates on a quarter system that keeps classes moving quickly. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you'll get personal attention in small classrooms. The campus lacks traditional dormitories, so students commute from surrounding communities or nearby apartments. Weekend social life revolves around study groups and local hangouts rather than campus traditions. The diverse student population includes 56.34% Black students and 19.37% Hispanic students, reflecting South Florida's demographics. Most students work while attending classes, balancing career preparation with current employment. The suburban setting offers chain restaurants and shopping centers within walking distance, while Palm Beach's beaches remain a short drive away for weekend relaxation.
This for-profit institution operates on a quarter system that keeps classes moving quickly. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you'll get personal attention in small classrooms. The campus lacks traditional dormitories, so students commute from surrounding communities or nearby apartments. Weekend social life revolves around study groups and local hangouts rather than campus traditions. The diverse student population includes 56.34% Black students and 19.37% Hispanic students, reflecting South Florida's demographics. Most students work while attending classes, balancing career preparation with current employment. The suburban setting offers chain restaurants and shopping centers within walking distance, while Palm Beach's beaches remain a short drive away for weekend relaxation.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Calendar System
- Quarter
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 57°–74°F
- July Avg
- 76°–90°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 61.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
South University-West Palm Beach draws primarily from Florida's diverse communities, with women making up four out of five students. The student body is majority Black and Hispanic, reflecting the school's commitment to serving underrepresented populations in South Florida. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves working families seeking career advancement. The heavy female enrollment aligns with the school's focus on healthcare and business programs, fields where women often pursue professional credentials. This small campus of 284 students creates an intimate learning environment for career-focused adults.
- Men
- 19.7%
- Women
- 80.3%
- White
- 12.3%
- Black
- 56.3%
- Hispanic
- 19.4%
- Asian
- 1.4%
- In-State Students
- 100.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 56.8%
Location
Royal Palm Beach sits in the western suburbs of Palm Beach County, about 20 miles inland from West Palm Beach. The area represents a growing suburban community that has expanded rapidly since the 1980s. Students find themselves in South Florida's sprawling metropolitan region, where strip malls and planned developments dominate the landscape. The campus operates on a quarter system with 284 students enrolled. Unlike traditional college towns, Royal Palm Beach functions primarily as a residential suburb with limited walkable amenities near campus. The location provides access to South Florida's job market while remaining removed from beach communities along the Atlantic coast. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare South University-West Palm Beach with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $34,421
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $59,826
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $32,500
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 25.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $277/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,123
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the retention rate at South University-West Palm Beach?
Only 42.86% of students return for their second year at this for-profit career college. The low retention rate reflects the challenges many students face at institutions focused on quick job training rather than traditional academic preparation.
How much does South University-West Palm Beach cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $20,494 annually, with tuition set at $18,238 regardless of residency status. Despite 56.77% receiving financial aid, most students still graduate with significant debt burdens averaging $26,123.
What is the student-faculty ratio at South University-West Palm Beach?
The school maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio with just 284 total students enrolled. This small size allows for more personalized attention, though the institution operates on a quarter system that accelerates course delivery.
What are the graduation rates at South University-West Palm Beach?
Only 13.52% of students graduate within four years, while 21.40% complete their degrees within six years. These low completion rates are typical of for-profit institutions that often enroll students who face significant academic and financial challenges.
Where do South University-West Palm Beach graduates work after graduation?
The employment rate reaches 94.7%, but median earnings stand at just $34,421 ten years after graduation. Monthly loan payments of $277 can strain budgets given these relatively modest post-graduation salaries in the competitive South Florida job market.
What is the student demographic makeup at South University-West Palm Beach?
Women comprise 80.28% of the student body, while 56.34% of students are Black and 19.37% are Hispanic. All students come from Florida, reflecting the school's focus on serving local communities seeking career-oriented education and professional training programs.
