Valencia College
Valencia College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Valencia College at a Glance
Valencia College (VC) is a public college with its main campus in Orlando, Florida, United States. Established in 1968, it is a member of the Florida College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to offer associate and bachelor's degrees, as well as several vocational certificates.
1968
58 years old
$89M
$88.7 million (2024)
43,370
638
Identity
Is Valencia College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Valencia College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,594 — 25% below average — while paying $12,037/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 46% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Valencia College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Valencia College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #18 of 29 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 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #2 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #3 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #4 | Dallas College | 100 | $3,214 | $41,714 |
| #5 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 100 | $4,831 | $49,620 |
| #6 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #18 | Valencia College | 38 | $12,037 | $40,594 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Valencia College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in FL.
Best Programs at Valencia College
The highest-earning program at Valencia College is Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $62,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate from Valencia College earns $62,600, while a Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduate earns $62,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions graduates carry $12,532 in median debt vs. $12,532 for Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,037/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $62,600 | $62,600 | $12,532 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Orlando, FL
- Student Body
- 39,486 students
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,037
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,594
- Median Student Debt
- $9,300