Daytona State College
Daytona State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Daytona State College at a Glance
Daytona State College (DSC) is a public college in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida College System.
1957
69 years old
$17M
$17 million (2024)
11,584
223
Identity
Is Daytona State College Worth It?
Daytona State College offers moderate value at $7,177/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $37,096, which is 31% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% 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.
How Daytona State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #29 of 112 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #29 | Daytona State College | 55 | $7,177 | $37,096 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Daytona State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in FL.
Best Programs at Daytona State College
The highest-earning program at Daytona State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $61,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $32,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Daytona State College earns $61,400, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $32,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $16,256 in median debt vs. $14,929 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,177/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,400 | $61,400 | $16,256 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,200 | $39,200 | $13,049 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $37,700 | $37,700 | $12,700 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,000 | $32,000 | $14,929 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Student Body
- 10,176 students
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,177
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $37,096
- Median Student Debt
- $8,250