Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University at a Glance
Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a public historically black land-grant university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. Founded in 1887, it is the third-largest historically black university in the US by enrollment and the only public historically black university in Florida. It is a member of the State University System of Florida and is accredited to award baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
1887
139 years old
$136M
$135.7 million (2025)
9,313
7,890 undergrad · 1,423 grad
422 acres
Identity
Is Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Worth It?
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University offers moderate value at $13,739/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $44,349, which is 18% 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 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Admission is competitive with a 21% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
With median debt of $23,548 representing 53% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #39 of 100 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #39 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 42 | $13,739 | $44,349 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in FL.
Best Programs at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
The highest-earning program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at $21,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University earns $57,300, while a Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduate earns $21,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. 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 $21,500 in median debt vs. $27,305 for Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,739/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 | $57,300 | $57,300 | $21,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $52,600 | $52,600 | $31,227 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $50,300 | $50,300 | $34,530 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,900 | $45,900 | $28,053 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,400 | $41,400 | $25,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,200 | $39,200 | $29,608 |
| Sociology | $29,400 | $29,400 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $27,937 |
| Social Work | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,737 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,900 | $27,900 | $27,156 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $27,700 | $27,700 | $32,786 |
| Agriculture, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $26,687 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $32,110 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $26,800 | $26,800 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $24,900 | $24,900 | $27,750 |
| Journalism | $24,400 | $24,400 | $24,322 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $22,400 | $22,400 | $29,750 |
| Psychology, General | $21,600 | $21,600 | $30,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $21,400 | $21,400 | $27,305 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tallahassee, FL
- Student Body
- 7,582 students
- Admission Rate
- 21%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,739
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,349
- Median Student Debt
- $23,548