South Florida State College
South Florida State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
South Florida State College at a Glance
South Florida State College is a public college with campuses in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties of Florida, United States. The college is part of the Florida College System. South Florida State College was founded in 1965 and serves around 5,000 students a year. The 228 acres (0.92 km2) Highlands Campus is located two miles (3 km) south of Avon Park, Florida. The college is on an isthmus, bounded on the north by Lake Lelia, to the south by Lake Glenada, and to the west by U.S. Highway 27.…
1965
61 years old
Is South Florida State College Worth It?
South Florida State College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $3,877/year net price and $39,990 median earnings, graduates earn 10.3× 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 49% 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.
Median student debt of $7,368 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: South Florida State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How South Florida State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #1 of 160 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of South Florida State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in FL.
Best Programs at South Florida State College
The highest-earning program at South Florida State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $28,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from South Florida State College earns $28,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $28,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $3,877/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) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,500 | $28,500 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Avon Park, FL
- Student Body
- 2,045 students
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $3,877
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $39,990
- Median Student Debt
- $7,368