St Petersburg College
St Petersburg College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St Petersburg College at a Glance
St. Petersburg College (SPC) is a public college in Pinellas County, Florida. Part of the Florida College System, SPC offers several associate and baccalaureate degrees as well as certificate and short-term learning programs. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
1927
99 years old
$32M
$32.1 million (2024)
23,501
270
Identity
Is St Petersburg College Worth It?
St Petersburg College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $1,471/year net price and $42,557 median earnings, graduates earn 28.9× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% 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.
Bottom line: St Petersburg College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How St Petersburg College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #1 of 114 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 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #5 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #6 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of St Petersburg College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in FL.
Best Programs at St Petersburg College
The highest-earning program at St Petersburg College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Legal Support Services at $32,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from St Petersburg College earns $65,900, while a Legal Support Services graduate earns $32,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $19,000 in median debt vs. $26,774 for Legal Support Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $1,471/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,900 | $65,900 | $19,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $41,900 | $41,900 | $27,898 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,900 | $41,900 | $30,299 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,400 | $40,400 | $22,046 |
| Public Health | $40,200 | $40,200 | $28,300 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $39,300 | $39,300 | $29,350 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,200 | $39,200 | $30,314 |
| Education, Other | $33,000 | $33,000 | $39,216 |
| Legal Support Services | $32,300 | $32,300 | $26,774 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Student Body
- 18,950 students
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $1,471
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,557
- Median Student Debt
- $16,868