College of Central Florida
College of Central Florida — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of Central Florida at a Glance
The College of Central Florida (CF) is a public college with campuses in Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties in the U.S. state of Florida. It is part of the Florida College System and was founded in 1957 as Central Florida Junior College. CF has grown to span three counties and include the Appleton Museum of Art and Vintage Farm in Ocala.
1957
69 years old
$118M
$118 million (2025)
10,854
Identity
Is College of Central Florida Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, College of Central Florida is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,203 — 29% below average — while paying $12,088/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 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: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at College of Central Florida has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How College of Central Florida compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #97 of 168 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #5 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #97 | College of Central Florida | 35 | $12,088 | $38,203 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of College of Central Florida's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in FL.
Best Programs at College of Central Florida
The highest-earning program at College of Central Florida is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $39,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $31,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate from College of Central Florida earns $39,700, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $31,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,088/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) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,700 | $39,700 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $31,300 | $31,300 | $20,513 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Ocala, FL
- Student Body
- 5,033 students
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,088
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,203
- Median Student Debt
- $13,000