At $13,818/yr net price, The College of the Florida Keys graduates earn $42,508/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,508/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,818 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,272 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,508/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,508/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,086/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,111/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,700/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,412/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. | Associate | $65,573 | $18,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,739 |
The Risk Factor
40.8% of students at The College of the Florida Keys 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
The College of the Florida Keys gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest earnings on the other end. Median debt sits at $9,500, less than a single year's net price, so you likely leave without a crushing loan balance. That's the strongest number here. The weak spot is the payoff: median earnings ten years out land at $42,508, which is close to what many associate-level and non-degree workers earn in Florida. The financial return is mixed,cheap enough to be low-risk, but not high enough to move you far ahead.
The 40.8% graduation rate is the risk you should watch most. If you borrow and enroll but don't finish, you carry debt without the credential that raises earnings. Since the school's value comes from keeping costs down, dropping out erases the main advantage. Going in with a clear plan to finish matters more here than at a school where degrees pay off regardless.
Net price barely moves across income levels. A family under $30k pays $12,086. a family over $110k pays $18,412. That flat structure means lower-income families don't get the steep discounts common at larger public universities, so the sticker cost hits harder relative to what you can afford. Higher-income families pay only about $6,000 more per year, which is a small gap.
This school fits you if you live in the Keys, want to stay in the region, and value low debt over high earnings,especially in local fields like hospitality, marine work, or nursing tied to the area. Look elsewhere if you're aiming for a career that requires you to relocate for higher pay, since the earnings ceiling here is real and the graduation odds are a coin flip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The College of the Florida Keys worth the cost compared to other schools?
The College of the Florida Keys has a relatively low net price at $13,818 per year, but graduates earn only $42,508 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates. The 40.80% graduation rate means most students don't finish their degree.
What programs at The College of the Florida Keys have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $65,573 annually. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $26,739, making the investment harder to justify given the school's low graduation rate.
How much student debt do College of the Florida Keys graduates typically have?
The median debt load is relatively manageable at $9,500. However, with graduate earnings averaging $42,508, debt payments could still strain budgets, especially for non-nursing majors who earn considerably less.
Should I attend The College of the Florida Keys or go somewhere else?
Consider this school only if you're pursuing nursing and can handle the risk of a 40% graduation rate. For other majors, you'll likely find better earning potential and graduation rates at other Florida colleges.