Florida Southern College
Florida Southern College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida Southern College at a Glance
Florida Southern College is a private college in Lakeland, Florida, United States. In 2019, the student population at FSC consisted of 3,073 students along with 130 full-time faculty members. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs. The institution is home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
1883
143 years old
$121M
$121.45 million (2025)
3,074
2,633 undergrad
130
113 acres
Identity
Is Florida Southern College Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Florida Southern College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,294 — 3% above average — while paying $28,551/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Florida Southern College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Florida Southern College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #53 of 96 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 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #2 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #3 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #4 | St. Joseph's University-New York | 56 | $19,035 | $63,905 |
| #5 | Gustavus Adolphus College | 55 | $22,900 | $65,607 |
| #6 | North Park University | 50 | $16,948 | $59,572 |
| #53 | Florida Southern College | 34 | $28,551 | $55,294 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Florida Southern College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in FL.
Best Programs at Florida Southern College
The highest-earning program at Florida Southern College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $24,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Florida Southern College earns $59,500, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $24,400. 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 $24,281 in median debt vs. $24,307 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,551/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 | $59,500 | $59,500 | $24,281 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,800 | $40,800 | $23,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,000 | $36,000 | $21,375 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,200 | $35,200 | $22,348 |
| Criminology | $26,200 | $26,200 | $22,875 |
| Biology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $23,504 |
| Psychology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $24,307 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lakeland, FL
- Student Body
- 2,656 students
- Admission Rate
- 64%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,551
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,294
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000