Full Sail University
Full Sail University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Full Sail University Worth It?
At a value score of 12/100, Full Sail University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,219 — 29% below average — while paying $38,875/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 4.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 47% 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.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 71% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Full Sail University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Full Sail University compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 7 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 | American Public University System | 64 | $9,597 | $44,409 |
| #2 | ECPI University | 20 | $22,965 | $42,837 |
| #3 | Capella University | 16 | $17,956 | $42,189 |
| #4 | DeVry University-Illinois | 14 | $30,770 | $45,987 |
| #5 | Post University | 13 | $21,634 | $38,696 |
| #6 | Full Sail University | 12 | $38,875 | $38,219 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Full Sail University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Full Sail University
The highest-earning program at Full Sail University is Computer Programming at $51,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Programming graduate from Full Sail University earns $51,400, while a Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians graduate earns $18,400. 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: Computer Programming graduates carry $28,125 in median debt vs. $25,749 for Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $38,875/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 Programming | $51,400 | $51,400 | $28,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,700 | $37,700 | $42,916 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $38,228 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $32,900 | $32,900 | $32,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,400 | $28,400 | $19,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $27,800 | $27,800 | $43,320 |
| Music | $26,900 | $26,900 | $44,362 |
| Marketing | $26,100 | $26,100 | $36,333 |
| Human Computer Interaction | $25,300 | $25,300 | $39,625 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $22,700 | $22,700 | $33,978 |
| Graphic Communications | $21,100 | $21,100 | $32,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $20,200 | $20,200 | $30,436 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $19,100 | $19,100 | $38,232 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $18,400 | $18,400 | $25,749 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Winter Park, FL
- Student Body
- 25,777 students
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $38,875
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,219
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000