Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida Atlantic University at a Glance
Florida Atlantic University is a public research university with its main campus in Boca Raton, Florida, United States. The university is a member of the State University System of Florida and has satellite campuses in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, and Fort Pierce. FAU was established as Florida's fifth public university and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity".
1961
65 years old
$295M
$295.1 million (2024)
32,185
160 undergrad · 6,559 grad
850 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Florida Atlantic University
Official admissions page$30
Is Florida Atlantic University Worth It?
Florida Atlantic University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $8,752/year net price and $56,746 median earnings, graduates earn 6.5× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: Florida Atlantic University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Florida Atlantic University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 38 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 | Florida Atlantic University | 100 | $8,752 | $56,746 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #5 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #6 | CUNY Queens College | 100 | $4,195 | $62,763 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Florida Atlantic University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in FL.
Best Programs at Florida Atlantic University
The highest-earning program at Florida Atlantic University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $15,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Florida Atlantic University earns $63,200, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $15,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,752/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 | $63,200 | $63,200 | $15,091 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $60,900 | $60,900 | $22,692 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,000 | $60,000 | $23,500 |
| Computer Engineering | $56,100 | $56,100 | $24,681 |
| Civil Engineering | $54,100 | $54,100 | $23,947 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $47,500 | $47,500 | $16,560 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,700 | $43,700 | $18,367 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,400 | $43,400 | $12,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,900 | $41,900 | $16,500 |
| Mathematics | $41,500 | $41,500 | $21,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,200 | $41,200 | $25,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,100 | $41,100 | $17,000 |
| Architecture | $40,800 | $40,800 | $25,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $39,100 | $39,100 | $18,254 |
| Economics | $37,600 | $37,600 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,800 | $36,800 | $16,337 |
| Marketing | $36,000 | $36,000 | $18,668 |
| International Business | $35,800 | $35,800 | $17,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $35,100 | $35,100 | $19,582 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,187 |
| Social Sciences, General | $34,600 | $34,600 | $15,484 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $34,500 | $34,500 | $16,104 |
| Public Administration | $34,500 | $34,500 | $17,625 |
| Chemistry | $32,900 | $32,900 | $18,587 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,900 | $31,900 | $15,027 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,800 | $31,800 | $15,706 |
| Sociology | $31,400 | $31,400 | $19,171 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,100 | $31,100 | $21,268 |
| Social Work | $31,000 | $31,000 | $18,650 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,500 | $30,500 | $18,750 |
| History | $30,500 | $30,500 | $22,547 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,900 | $29,900 | $17,750 |
| Education, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $15,537 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $16,625 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $19,136 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,700 | $26,700 | $18,450 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $26,400 | $26,400 | $17,356 |
| Psychology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $18,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,100 | $24,100 | $18,575 |
| Anthropology | $20,700 | $20,700 | $26,661 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $15,600 | $15,600 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Boca Raton, FL
- Student Body
- 23,757 students
- Admission Rate
- 66%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,752
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,746
- Median Student Debt
- $17,236