Florida SouthWestern State College
Florida SouthWestern State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Florida SouthWestern State College at a Glance
Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is a public college in Fort Myers, Florida, United States. It is a member of the Florida College System.
1962
64 years old
$50M
$50.3 million (2025)
14,326
194
Identity
Is Florida SouthWestern State College Worth It?
Florida SouthWestern State College offers moderate value at $7,247/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $43,421, which is 19% 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 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% 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.
Median student debt of $8,000 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Florida SouthWestern State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #35 of 198 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 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #35 | Florida SouthWestern State College | 58 | $7,247 | $43,421 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Florida SouthWestern State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in FL.
Best Programs at Florida SouthWestern State College
The highest-earning program at Florida SouthWestern State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $39,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Florida SouthWestern State College earns $63,900, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $39,200. 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 $14,374 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,247/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 | $63,900 | $63,900 | $14,374 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $45,400 | $45,400 | $13,629 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,100 | $41,100 | $13,020 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,200 | $39,200 | $19,000 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Student Body
- 11,052 students
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,247
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,421
- Median Student Debt
- $8,000