Florida Atlantic University vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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 and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are closely matched on financial return. Florida Atlantic University scores 75/100 while Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College scores 76/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, Florida Atlantic University comes in at $8,752 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $10,399 annually, or roughly $41,596 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College graduates earn a median of $61,251 compared to $56,746 at Florida Atlantic University. The payback period is 8 years at Florida Atlantic University versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
Graduates leave Florida Atlantic University with a median $17,236 in debt versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Florida Atlantic Universi... | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $4,879 | $11,954 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $28,631 |
| Net Price (avg) | $8,752 | $19,151 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $35,008 | $76,604 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,800 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $56,746 | $61,251 |
| Graduation Rate | 62.6% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 8 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,236 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $183 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.8% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 61.7% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 66.1% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 23,757 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1040-1200 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,022 | $13,056 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $4,135 | $15,696 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,106 | $20,223 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,440 | $23,878 |
| $110,001+ | $16,854 | $26,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $90,664 | $106,897 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,583 | $99,975 |
| Electrical Engineering | $93,561 | $97,208 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $70,078 | $95,302 |
| Civil Engineering | $84,778 | $85,627 |
| Accounting | $77,465 | $82,617 |
| Mathematics | $71,453 | $64,121 |
| Architecture | $64,730 | $69,029 |
| International Relations | $53,872 | $67,007 |
| International Business | $50,230 | $65,326 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,058 | $64,590 |
| Marketing | $62,906 | $60,408 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $56,414 | $61,045 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,395 | $56,413 |
| Teacher Education | $56,073 | $51,577 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Florida Atlantic Uni... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 94 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 75 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 82 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 64 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 24 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 75 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College edges out Florida Atlantic University by 1 points (76 vs 75), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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Florida Atlantic University
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Strong 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.