University of West Florida
University of West Florida — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of West Florida at a Glance
The University of West Florida is a public university in Pensacola, Florida, United States. Established in 1963 as a member institution of the State University System of Florida, the University of West Florida is a comprehensive research university without faculties of law or medicine, a designated space-grant institution, and sits on the third-largest campus in the State University System, at 1,600 acres (650 ha). The university's mascot is Argie the Argonaut and its logo is the chambered nauti…
1963
63 years old
$118M
$117.7 million (2025)
15,601
9,646 undergrad · 4,697 grad
374
1,600 acres
Identity
Is University of West Florida Worth It?
University of West Florida delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,364/year, it's priced 54% below average, while graduates go on to earn $49,137 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 60% graduation rate means roughly 40% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: University of West Florida delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of West Florida compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #14 of 96 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #5 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #6 | University of North Florida | 95 | $10,154 | $56,343 |
| #14 | University of West Florida | 79 | $9,364 | $49,137 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of West Florida's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 16 in FL.
Best Programs at University of West Florida
The highest-earning program at University of West Florida is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $16,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of West Florida earns $57,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $16,300. 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 $11,771 in median debt vs. $19,750 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,364/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 | $57,000 | $57,000 | $11,771 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $55,600 | $55,600 | $25,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $51,500 | $51,500 | $19,772 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $47,400 | $47,400 | $23,500 |
| Marketing | $37,100 | $37,100 | $16,875 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,000 | $36,000 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $35,100 | $35,100 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,000 | $35,000 | $14,546 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,500 | $32,500 | $18,174 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,500 | $31,500 | $17,125 |
| Social Sciences, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $25,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,300 | $30,300 | $20,000 |
| Social Work | $30,000 | $30,000 | $17,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $29,800 | $29,800 | $18,250 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $20,500 |
| History | $27,600 | $27,600 | $18,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $26,800 | $26,800 | $18,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,858 |
| Psychology, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $19,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $19,371 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,600 | $23,600 | $21,732 |
| Biology, General | $22,100 | $22,100 | $22,500 |
| Anthropology | $20,100 | $20,100 | $21,665 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $19,400 | $19,400 | $20,549 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $16,300 | $16,300 | $19,750 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pensacola, FL
- Student Body
- 9,330 students
- Admission Rate
- 58%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,364
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,137
- Median Student Debt
- $16,624