Northwest Florida State College
Northwest Florida State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northwest Florida State College at a Glance
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is a public college with its main campus in Niceville, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida College System, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, offering associate and baccalaureate degrees, and several certificate programs. NWFSC operates multiple campuses across Okaloosa and Walton counties.
1963
63 years old
$38M
$38.3 million (2024)
4,898
80
Identity
Is Northwest Florida State College Worth It?
Northwest Florida State College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $4,571/year net price and $39,664 median earnings, graduates earn 8.7× 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 41% 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.
Median student debt of $7,932 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Northwest Florida State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Northwest Florida State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #9 of 182 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #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 |
| #9 | Northwest Florida State College | 88 | $4,571 | $39,664 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northwest Florida 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 Northwest Florida State College
The highest-earning program at Northwest Florida State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $37,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $34,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Northwest Florida State College earns $37,300, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $34,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $4,571/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,300 | $37,300 | $11,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,700 | $34,700 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Niceville, FL
- Student Body
- 3,010 students
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $4,571
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $39,664
- Median Student Debt
- $7,932