New College of Florida
New College of Florida — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
New College of Florida at a Glance
The New College of Florida is a public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida, United States.
1960
66 years old
$50M
$49.8 million (2023)
710
710 undergrad · 22 grad
100
144 acres
Identity
How to Apply to New College of Florida
Official admissions pageNovember 1 (Early Action)
Is New College of Florida Worth It?
New College of Florida is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $7,195/year net price and $48,082 median earnings, graduates earn 6.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: New College of Florida delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How New College of Florida compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 39 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 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #2 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #5 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
| #6 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of New College of Florida's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in FL.
Best Programs at New College of Florida
The highest-earning program at New College of Florida is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $20,100/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate from New College of Florida earns $20,100, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $20,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduates carry $15,371 in median debt vs. $15,371 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,195/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $20,100 | $20,100 | $15,371 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Sarasota, FL
- Student Body
- 843 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,195
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,082
- Median Student Debt
- $17,375