Lake-Sumter State College
Lake-Sumter State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lake-Sumter State College at a Glance
Lake–Sumter State College is a public college with multiple campuses in Central Florida: three campuses in Lake and Sumter Counties; the original campus in Leesburg; the South Lake Campus in Clermont; and the Sumter Campus in Sumterville. It is a member of the Florida College System. The college also partners with The Villages Charter High School as a dual enrollment site.
1962
64 years old
6,042
229
Identity
Is Lake-Sumter State College Worth It?
Lake-Sumter State College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $5,855/year, it's priced 71% below average, while graduates go on to earn $39,876 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% 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.
Median student debt of $6,750 is manageable at just 17% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Lake-Sumter State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Lake-Sumter State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #16 of 195 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #16 | Lake-Sumter State College | 79 | $5,855 | $39,876 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Lake-Sumter State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in FL.
Best Programs at Lake-Sumter State College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Lake-Sumter State College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $5,855/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
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Leesburg, FL
- Student Body
- 4,177 students
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,855
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $39,876
- Median Student Debt
- $6,750