Indian River State College
Indian River State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Indian River State College at a Glance
Indian River State College is a public college based in Fort Pierce, Florida, United States. Serving the Treasure Coast region, it is part of the Florida College System and offers associate and bachelor's degree programs as well as vocational certificates. It was established in 1959.
1959
67 years old
$29M
$28.5 million (2024)
14,862
208
362 acres
Identity
Is Indian River State College Worth It?
Indian River State College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $3,815/year net price and $38,315 median earnings, graduates earn 10.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% 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.
Bottom line: Indian River State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Indian River State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #1 of 118 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Indian River State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in FL.
Best Programs at Indian River State College
The highest-earning program at Indian River State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Services, General at $24,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Indian River State College earns $64,600, while a Human Services, General graduate earns $24,500. 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 $8,400 in median debt vs. $14,700 for Human Services, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $3,815/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 | $64,600 | $64,600 | $8,400 |
| Biology, General | $39,300 | $39,300 | $8,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,000 | $38,000 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,500 | $35,500 | $11,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,700 | $32,700 | $11,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $8,830 |
| Graphic Communications | $26,000 | $26,000 | $9,000 |
| Human Services, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $14,700 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Student Body
- 11,822 students
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $3,815
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,315
- Median Student Debt
- $8,023