Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pensacola State College at a Glance
Pensacola State College (PSC) is a public college in Pensacola, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System. Originally established as Pensacola Junior College in 1948, the college underwent a name change in July 2010 to reflect its expanded academic offerings to include both associate and bachelor's degrees.
1948
78 years old
$12M
$11.8 million (2024)
7,981
147
Identity
Is Pensacola State College Worth It?
Pensacola State College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $3,957/year net price and $36,739 median earnings, graduates earn 9.3× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% 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 $7,500 is manageable at just 20% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: Pensacola State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Pensacola State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #5 of 127 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pensacola State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in FL.
Best Programs at Pensacola State College
The highest-earning program at Pensacola State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $32,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Pensacola State College earns $32,600, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $32,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $7,000 in median debt vs. $7,000 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $3,957/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 | $32,600 | $32,600 | $7,000 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pensacola, FL
- Student Body
- 7,538 students
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $3,957
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,739
- Median Student Debt
- $7,500