At $-52/yr net price, St Petersburg College graduates earn $42,557/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,557/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $-52 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $-208 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,557/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,557/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | -0 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,868 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $2,669/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,616/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,158/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 | $65,512 | $15,578 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $15,750 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $17,428 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,696 | $28,015 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $43,128 | $26,285 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $30,000 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $27,026 |
| Education, Other. | Certificate | $42,363 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,235 | $12,757 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $19,000 |
The Risk Factor
37.5% of students at St Petersburg College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
St Petersburg College hands you a rare deal upfront: the net price for lower-income families lands below zero, meaning grants cover tuition and then some. Even at the top income tier, you pay barely over $10k a year. Median debt of around $17k is low for a four-year school, and it stays low in the programs that matter most.
Nursing is where this school pays off. It clears $65k a year while carrying the lowest debt of any program on the list. Dental support follows at $55k with debt still under $18k. If you come here for a healthcare credential, the math works cleanly in your favor.
The picture flips fast outside healthcare. Business administration, IT management, and public health all land in the low $40s for earnings, but their debt runs $26k to $28k, roughly double what nursing graduates carry. You earn $22k less than a nurse and owe far more. Those three programs are the weak spot here, and the gap is stark enough that your major choice matters more than your school choice.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only 37.5% of students graduate, so the strong nursing return only reaches you if you're in the minority who complete. Drop out with debt and no credential and the cheap net price stops helping.
This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing or dental work and can afford the tuition, which for lower and middle incomes is close to free. Look harder before enrolling in the business, IT, or public health tracks, where the earnings don't justify the debt. And go in with a plan to finish, because the graduation odds are the real gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Petersburg College worth the cost?
St Petersburg College has a negative net price, meaning students typically receive more in financial aid than tuition costs. With graduates earning $42,557 after 10 years and median debt of only $16,868, the financial return is solid for a community college.
What are the best paying programs at St Petersburg College?
Nursing programs at St Petersburg College offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning $57,318-$65,512 annually. Dental support services also pays well at $55,512, while business and IT programs average around $43,000.
Do St Petersburg College graduates have high student debt?
St Petersburg College graduates have relatively low debt at $16,868 median. The school's negative net price means most students pay little to nothing out of pocket after financial aid.
What is the graduation rate at St Petersburg College?
St Petersburg College has a 37.5% graduation rate, which is typical for open-enrollment community colleges. The low completion rate means many students don't finish their programs, though those who do graduate see decent earnings.