Florida State 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 State University holds a 55-point ROI advantage over Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, scoring 83/100 versus 28/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Florida State University comes in at $11,297 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,739 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - a difference of $2,442 annually, or roughly $9,768 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Florida State University graduates earn a median of $61,675 compared to $44,349 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The payback period is 6.9 years at Florida State University versus 20.9 years at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Graduates leave Florida State University with a median $18,000 in debt versus $23,548 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.45 and 0.74 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Florida State University | Florida Agricultural and ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $5,656 | $5,785 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,786 | $17,725 |
| Net Price (avg) | $11,297 | $13,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $45,188 | $54,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,700 | $31,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,675 | $44,349 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.6% | 53.3% |
| Payback Period | 6.9 yr | 20.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $23,548 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $250 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.45 | 0.74 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 69.0% | 49.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.9% | 40.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 24.2% | 20.6% |
| Enrollment | 32,212 | 7,582 |
| SAT Range | 1270-1410 | 1030-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Florida State Univer... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,938 | $13,299 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,963 | $10,921 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,496 | $15,269 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,991 | $18,325 |
| $110,001+ | $19,239 | $20,332 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Florida State Univer... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $93,727 | $83,041 |
| Accounting | $91,056 | $85,522 |
| Registered Nursing | $78,811 | $73,658 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $77,320 | $53,902 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $73,888 | $35,817 |
| International Relations | $68,059 | $48,733 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $65,941 | $41,861 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $60,909 | $56,187 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,417 | $44,891 |
| Psychology | $54,728 | $39,472 |
| Teacher Education | $51,863 | $50,736 |
| Biology | $51,256 | $45,173 |
| Social Work | $50,723 | $47,477 |
| Sociology | $50,612 | $31,167 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $27,277 | $46,081 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Florida State Univer... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 93 | 33 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 84 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 81 | 22 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 46 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 37 | 8 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 28 |
The Verdict
Florida State University significantly outperforms Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on financial ROI (83 vs 28). The 55-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 State University.
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Florida State 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.