Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 57.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 36/100 · Poor Value
Florida Institute of Technology earns an overall ROI score of 36/100, placing it in the poor value band on CampusROI's framework. Tuition runs $45,900 with an average net price of $35,639 after aid. Median earnings six years after entry land at $46,900, climbing to roughly $43,137 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 34.7 years. Median federal debt of $27,000 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, which is tight. Completion sits at 63.5%, a middling result that drags on the score. The component scores break down as earnings premium 12/100, completion 66/100, payback 15/100, debt-to-earnings 56/100, repayment 80/100. The lowest sub-score is earnings premium over a high-school baseline at 12/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is loan repayment rate at 80/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
The data raises concerns about Florida Institute of Technology
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score36/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period34.7 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Florida Institute of Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $45,900/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $45,900/yr |
| Average net price | $35,639/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $142,556 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,137 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $46,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 34.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 63.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,404 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Florida Institute of Technology is $45,900/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $35,639/year, or roughly $142,556 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $29,108/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $40,649/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $43,137 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.58 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $29,108 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,213 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $31,311 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $36,466 |
| $110,001+ | $40,649 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $29,108 per year here. With expected earnings around $43,137 a decade out, that's a difficult number — Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $31,311 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $40,649 per year. At this price point the calculation is whether the school's earnings outcomes and completion rate justify paying near sticker — high-income families could likely access more selective options or in-state flagships at similar or lower out-of-pocket cost, so the value case has to be made on fit, program, or geography.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Florida Institute of Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation | $83,243 | C |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $97,015 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $92,753 | B |
| Computer Science | $91,606 | B |
| Electrical Engineering | $98,505 | - |
| Computer Engineering | $106,431 | B+ |
| Clinical Psychology | $55,282 | D |
| Chemical Engineering | $99,312 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,717 | C |
| Biomedical Engineering | $88,120 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Air Transportation
Air Transportation (CIP 4901) graduates 90 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $47,019 and four-year earnings of $83,243. Median program debt is $27,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (CIP 1402) graduates 81 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $69,149 and four-year earnings of $97,015. Median program debt is $26,982 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Engineering majors generally outperform their cost on this kind of campus and are the program family most worth borrowing for if the student can complete.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (CIP 1419) graduates 57 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $69,533 and four-year earnings of $92,753. Median program debt is $27,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Engineering majors generally outperform their cost on this kind of campus and are the program family most worth borrowing for if the student can complete.
Computer Science
Computer Science (CIP 1107) graduates 38 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $75,231 and four-year earnings of $91,606. Median program debt is $27,000 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, which is manageable. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of B. Computing pathways tend to produce the strongest early-career earnings on this campus and are worth weighing heavily in any cost-versus-major calculation.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (CIP 1410) graduates 29 students per year. Reported median four-year earnings of $98,505. Engineering majors generally outperform their cost on this kind of campus and are the program family most worth borrowing for if the student can complete.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 41.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 57.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 57.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-660 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-660 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-28 |
| Enrollment | 3,404 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,366 |
The school admits roughly 57.7% of applicants, putting it in the moderately selective category (SAT Math 25th-75th of 560-660; SAT Reading 25th-75th of 560-660; ACT Composite 25th-75th of 23-28). For prepared students with solid high school records the admit decision is unlikely to be the binding constraint here. Selectivity correlates loosely with completion in Scorecard data, and at 63.5% this campus's completion rate is in line with peer institutions.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Listed peer institutions include Baptist University of Florida (ROI 31, Poor Value, 23.2yr payback); Barry University (ROI 42, Poor Value, 11.0yr payback); Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel (ROI 39, Poor Value, >999yr); United Talmudical Seminary (ROI 36, Poor Value, >999yr); Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico (ROI 27, Poor Value, 16.8yr payback). Florida Institute of Technology sits at ROI 36 with 34.7yr payback, so families weighing options should compare these schools side by side on tuition net of aid, completion rate, and program-level earnings rather than relying on rankings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Institute of Technology (this school) | 36 | $35,639 | $43,137 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | 39 | $4,156 | $31,853 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | 36 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 27 | $17,540 | $47,540 |
Who Thrives Here
This is a Southeast institution with a mid-size enrollment of 3,404 and a Pell Grant rate of 21.1%, below the national average. Fit skews toward students who want regional access without paying flagship-level tuition. Completion is solid enough that a motivated student has a reasonable shot at finishing on time. Median earnings ten years out of $43,137 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Florida Institute of Technology. With a net cost of $35,639 per year and median graduate earnings of only $43,137 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 34.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and a long payback period.
Median debt of $27,000 against $43,137 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.