At $8,155/yr net price, University of West Florida graduates earn $49,137/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,137/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,155 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $32,620 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,137/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,137/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,624 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,367/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,208/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,264/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,090/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,446/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $71,854 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,172 | $18,114 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $58,454 | $12,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $54,322 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $17,250 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $52,895 | $19,582 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $50,773 | $18,000 |
The Risk Factor
61.8% of students at University of West Florida graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of West Florida gives you a low-cost path with modest but reliable payoff. At roughly $8,155 a year in net price and median debt under $17,000, you graduate owing less than a single year's median earnings. That keeps your downside small even if you land in a lower-paying field.
Your major decides everything here. The engineering programs top the list, with computer engineering graduates out-earning the school's median by a wide margin. Nursing pays well too and comes with the lowest debt of any top program, so it carries the best debt-to-earnings math on this list. If you're aiming at these fields, UWF is a strong financial bet given what you pay to get in.
The risk is the gap between those top programs and everything else. The school-wide median sits below what its engineering and nursing grads earn, which means many other majors land under $49,000. Pensacola's regional job market rewards healthcare, defense, and technical work. a degree outside those lanes may not clear the same return. Pick a low-earning major and the cheap price is the only thing saving you.
The income tiers make this school genuinely affordable at the bottom. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $3,367 a year, and the $30-48k tier stays near $5,208. Above $110,000, your price nearly doubles to $15,446, still reasonable for a four-year public degree but no longer a bargain.
Go here if you plan to study engineering, nursing, or computing and want low debt. Look elsewhere if your target major sits outside those fields and you're expecting the price to guarantee a strong salary. The 87.6% retention and 61.8% graduation rate mean most of you who start will finish, which protects the whole calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of West Florida worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
University of West Florida graduates earn a median salary of $49,137 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $8,155 per year, the return on investment is moderate but not exceptional compared to other state universities.
Which University of West Florida programs have the best job prospects and pay?
Public Health leads UWF's earnings with graduates making $94,408 annually, followed by Computer and Information Sciences at $74,576. Engineering programs like Computer Engineering ($63,005) and Electrical Engineering ($61,172) also offer solid returns that justify the investment.
How much debt do University of West Florida students typically graduate with?
UWF students graduate with a median debt of $16,624, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. The low net price of $8,155 per year helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What are the risks of attending University of West Florida financially?
The main risk is UWF's 61.8% graduation rate, meaning nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish their degree but may still carry debt. Students in lower-paying majors may struggle to justify even the modest costs given the below-average post-graduation earnings.