Florida International University
Florida International University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida International University at a Glance
Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university with its main campus in Westchester, Florida, United States. Founded in 1965 by the Florida Legislature, the school opened to students in 1972. FIU is the third-largest university in Florida and the eighth-largest public university in the United States by enrollment. It is a constituent part of the State University System of Florida and one of four state-designated Preeminent State Research Universities.
1965
61 years old
$380M
$380.1 million (2025)
55,811
46,249 undergrad · 9,562 grad
1 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Florida International University
Official admissions page$30
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Florida International University Worth It?
Florida International University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $9,288/year net price and $60,249 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 74% graduation rate means roughly 26% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: Florida International University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Florida International University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 6 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 International University | 100 | $9,288 | $60,249 |
| #2 | California State University-Long Beach | 100 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| #3 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #4 | Weber State University | 61 | $10,258 | $56,287 |
| #5 | Collin County Community College District | 29 | $8,969 | $48,701 |
| #6 | University of Maryland Global Campus | 23 | $22,063 | $65,287 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Florida International University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Florida International University
The highest-earning program at Florida International University is Computer Engineering at $69,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $16,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Florida International University earns $69,200, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $16,600. 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: Computer Engineering graduates carry $19,375 in median debt vs. $19,750 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,288/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $69,200 | $69,200 | $19,375 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $22,746 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,300 | $61,300 | $20,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,000 | $61,000 | $15,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $59,200 | $59,200 | $21,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,700 | $55,700 | $15,637 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,800 | $54,800 | $18,750 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $50,700 | $50,700 | $25,099 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $50,000 | $50,000 | $16,563 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,900 | $47,900 | $17,080 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,700 | $44,700 | $18,537 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,100 | $41,100 | $19,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $17,904 |
| International Business | $40,000 | $40,000 | $16,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,700 | $39,700 | $18,265 |
| Marketing | $36,300 | $36,300 | $14,500 |
| Economics | $35,800 | $35,800 | $17,008 |
| Public Administration | $35,000 | $35,000 | $20,973 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $35,000 | $35,000 | $18,152 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $34,600 | $34,600 | $24,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,000 | $34,000 | $18,800 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,400 | $33,400 | $18,450 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $32,300 | $32,300 | $23,357 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,900 | $31,900 | $19,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,700 | $31,700 | $22,500 |
| Social Work | $30,700 | $30,700 | $10,600 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $30,700 | $30,700 | $18,631 |
| Chemistry | $27,800 | $27,800 | $17,809 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $26,900 | $26,900 | $21,500 |
| History | $26,500 | $26,500 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,300 | $26,300 | $21,495 |
| Psychology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $17,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $25,300 | $25,300 | $16,484 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $14,625 |
| Sociology | $23,000 | $23,000 | $20,495 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $21,300 | $21,300 | $14,000 |
| Music | $19,800 | $19,800 | $20,000 |
| Biology, General | $19,600 | $19,600 | $17,072 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,400 | $19,400 | $18,733 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $16,600 | $16,600 | $19,750 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Miami, FL
- Student Body
- 39,508 students
- Admission Rate
- 55%
- Graduation Rate
- 74%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,288
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,249
- Median Student Debt
- $16,500