Chipola College
Chipola College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Chipola College at a Glance
Chipola College is a public college in Marianna, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida College System.
1947
79 years old
2,274
Identity
Is Chipola College Worth It?
Chipola College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $1,133/year net price and $37,378 median earnings, graduates earn 33.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Chipola College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Chipola College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #1 of 91 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #4 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #5 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #6 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Chipola College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in FL.
Best Programs at Chipola College
The highest-earning program at Chipola College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $33,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from Chipola College earns $33,600, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $33,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $1,133/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,600 | $33,600 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Marianna, FL
- Student Body
- 1,312 students
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $1,133
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,378