Florida International 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 International University holds a 53-point ROI advantage over Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, scoring 81/100 versus 28/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Florida International University comes in at $9,288 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,739 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - a difference of $4,451 annually, or roughly $17,804 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Florida International University graduates earn a median of $60,249 compared to $44,349 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The payback period is 7 years at Florida International University versus 20.9 years at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Graduates leave Florida International University with a median $16,500 in debt versus $23,548 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.74 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Florida International Uni... | Florida Agricultural and ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,565 | $5,785 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,964 | $17,725 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,288 | $13,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $37,152 | $54,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,500 | $31,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $60,249 | $44,349 |
| Graduation Rate | 74.4% | 53.3% |
| Payback Period | 7 yr | 20.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $16,500 | $23,548 |
| Monthly Payment | $175 | $250 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.74 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 62.6% | 49.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 62.3% | 40.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 54.7% | 20.6% |
| Enrollment | 39,508 | 7,582 |
| SAT Range | 1070-1260 | 1030-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Florida Internationa... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,003 | $13,299 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,873 | $10,921 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,925 | $15,269 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,568 | $18,325 |
| $110,001+ | $18,200 | $20,332 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Florida Internationa... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $99,471 | $98,272 |
| Registered Nursing | $98,635 | $73,658 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $90,397 | $83,041 |
| Accounting | $81,923 | $85,522 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $65,343 | $41,861 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,256 | $53,902 |
| International Relations | $57,996 | $48,733 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,867 | $44,477 |
| Social Work | $55,923 | $47,477 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,830 | $44,891 |
| Teacher Education | $53,854 | $50,736 |
| Psychology | $49,470 | $39,472 |
| Sociology | $47,538 | $31,167 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $35,476 | $47,139 |
| Biology | $46,718 | $45,173 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Florida Internationa... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 95 | 33 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 22 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 84 | 46 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 22 | 8 |
| Overall ROI Score | 81 | 28 |
The Verdict
Florida International University significantly outperforms Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on financial ROI (81 vs 28). The 53-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 International University.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
Florida International 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.