Florida Atlantic University vs Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Florida Atlantic University holds a 47-point ROI advantage over Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, scoring 75/100 versus 28/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Florida Atlantic University comes in at $8,752 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,739 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - a difference of $4,987 annually, or roughly $19,948 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Florida Atlantic University graduates earn a median of $56,746 compared to $44,349 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The payback period is 8 years at Florida Atlantic University versus 20.9 years at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Graduates leave Florida Atlantic University with a median $17,236 in debt versus $23,548 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.74 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Florida Atlantic Universi... | Florida Agricultural and ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $4,879 | $5,785 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $17,725 |
| Net Price (avg) | $8,752 | $13,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $35,008 | $54,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,800 | $31,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $56,746 | $44,349 |
| Graduation Rate | 62.6% | 53.3% |
| Payback Period | 8 yr | 20.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,236 | $23,548 |
| Monthly Payment | $183 | $250 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.74 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.8% | 49.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.7% | 40.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 66.1% | 20.6% |
| Enrollment | 23,757 | 7,582 |
| SAT Range | 1040-1200 | 1030-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,022 | $13,299 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $4,135 | $10,921 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,106 | $15,269 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,440 | $18,325 |
| $110,001+ | $16,854 | $20,332 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $91,953 | $73,658 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $89,476 | $83,041 |
| Accounting | $77,465 | $85,522 |
| Architecture | $64,730 | $69,874 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,058 | $53,902 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $57,153 | $44,477 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,395 | $56,187 |
| Teacher Education | $56,073 | $50,736 |
| International Relations | $53,872 | $48,733 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $53,545 | $44,891 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $51,640 | $46,081 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $51,082 | $47,139 |
| Sociology | $50,983 | $31,167 |
| Social Work | $50,966 | $47,477 |
| Psychology | $48,754 | $39,472 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 33 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 75 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 22 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 64 | 46 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 24 | 8 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 28 |
The Verdict
Florida Atlantic University significantly outperforms Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on financial ROI (75 vs 28). The 47-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Florida Atlantic University.
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Florida Atlantic University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.