University of South Florida 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
University of South Florida holds a 50-point ROI advantage over Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, scoring 78/100 versus 28/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of South Florida comes in at $9,812 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,739 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University - a difference of $3,927 annually, or roughly $15,708 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of South Florida graduates earn a median of $57,743 compared to $44,349 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The payback period is 7.9 years at University of South Florida versus 20.9 years at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Graduates leave University of South Florida with a median $17,988 in debt versus $23,548 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.74 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of South Flori... | Florida Agricultural and ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $6,410 | $5,785 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,324 | $17,725 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,812 | $13,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $39,248 | $54,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $39,400 | $31,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,743 | $44,349 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.8% | 53.3% |
| Payback Period | 7.9 yr | 20.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,988 | $23,548 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $250 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.74 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 49.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.7% | 40.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 43.2% | 20.6% |
| Enrollment | 37,207 | 7,582 |
| SAT Range | 1130-1320 | 1030-1180 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of South ... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,122 | $13,299 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,444 | $10,921 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,326 | $15,269 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,224 | $18,325 |
| $110,001+ | $18,497 | $20,332 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of South ... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $90,953 | $83,041 |
| Accounting | $78,918 | $85,522 |
| Registered Nursing | $84,694 | $73,658 |
| International Relations | $64,820 | $48,733 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,600 | $53,902 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $56,452 | $46,081 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,770 | $35,817 |
| Social Work | $52,451 | $47,477 |
| Teacher Education | $51,650 | $50,736 |
| Biology | $49,395 | $45,173 |
| Sociology | $47,379 | $31,167 |
| Psychology | $47,257 | $39,472 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $45,671 | $16,695 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,105 | $41,861 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of South ... | Florida Agricultural... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 33 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 76 | 25 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 80 | 22 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 87 | 46 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 28 | 8 |
| Overall ROI Score | 78 | 28 |
The Verdict
University of South Florida significantly outperforms Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University on financial ROI (78 vs 28). The 50-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 University of South Florida.
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University of South Florida
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.