Palm Beach State College
Palm Beach State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Palm Beach State College at a Glance
Palm Beach State College is a public college in Lake Worth, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System. Palm Beach State College enrolls nearly 25,000 students in over 100 programs of study including bachelor of applied science, associate in arts and associate in science degree programs, and short-term certificates, as well as continuing education and avocational courses. In 2009, the college started its first baccalaureate program, a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision & Ma…
1933
93 years old
24,223
Identity
Is Palm Beach State College Worth It?
Palm Beach State College offers moderate value at $9,182/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $41,923, which is 22% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 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 $7,081 is manageable at just 17% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Palm Beach State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #42 of 92 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 100 | $4,831 | $49,620 |
| #42 | Palm Beach State College | 47 | $9,182 | $41,923 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach State College
The highest-earning program at Palm Beach State College is Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at $49,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management graduate from Palm Beach State College earns $49,800, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $34,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management graduates carry $12,747 in median debt vs. $11,970 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,182/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $49,800 | $49,800 | $12,747 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,700 | $34,700 | $11,970 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lake Worth, FL
- Student Body
- 21,956 students
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,182
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,923
- Median Student Debt
- $7,081