Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Miami Dade College at a Glance
Miami Dade College (MDC) is a public college located in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1960, MDC operates eight campuses and numerous outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County. It is the largest institution in the Florida College System.
1960
66 years old
$227M
$227.2 million (2025)
47,245
703
Identity
Is Miami Dade College Worth It?
Miami Dade College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $5,463/year net price and $40,654 median earnings, graduates earn 7.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% 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.
Bottom line: Miami Dade College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Miami Dade College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #8 of 21 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 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #2 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #3 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #4 | Dallas College | 100 | $3,214 | $41,714 |
| #5 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 100 | $4,831 | $49,620 |
| #6 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | 89 | $4,128 | $42,244 |
| #8 | Miami Dade College | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Miami Dade 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 Miami Dade College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Miami Dade 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 $5,463/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
- Miami, FL
- Student Body
- 46,182 students
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,463
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,654
- Median Student Debt
- $9,252