Florida Southern College
Lakeland, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 64.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 46/100 · Below Average Value
Florida Southern College scores 46 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. Median 6-year earnings of $37,400 against a $28,551 net price produce a 12.5-year payback period and a 0.668 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 70.6% completion rate is Florida Southern's strongest metric — above average for a private college at this price point. The repayment rate of 71.9% at three years is below average and the lowest sub-score, suggesting graduates are struggling with debt management in the early career years despite good completion rates. Florida Southern is a Methodist-affiliated college in Lakeland, Florida with enrollment of 2,656. Registered Nursing (52 graduates, $75,019 year-one, ROI grade B) is the strongest program. Business Administration (114 graduates, $43,581 year-one, ROI grade C+) is the largest program. Computer Science (31 graduates, $82,328 at year four) lacks ROI grade data but shows a strong four-year trajectory. Drama/Theatre (29 graduates, $22,336 year-one, ROI grade F) is the weakest earner. The $44,040 sticker tuition is high relative to the earnings outcomes; the institution depends on significant discounting to reach the $28,551 average net price.
Florida Southern College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $44,040/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $44,040/yr |
| Average net price | $28,551/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $114,204 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,294 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,656 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Florida Southern College is $44,040/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $28,551/year, or roughly $114,204 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $23,624/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,706/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,294 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.67 - 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 | $23,624 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,385 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,830 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,044 |
| $110,001+ | $33,706 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $23,624 per year at Florida Southern. Four-year cost around $94,500 against $37,400 median 6-year earnings and a 12.5-year payback is a challenging financial outcome. Low-income students benefit from above-average completion rates (70.6%) but face meaningful debt risk in lower-earning programs. Nursing is the strongest financial case for this income group. Students in arts or social sciences at this income level should examine the program-specific debt and earnings data carefully.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $25,830, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $29,044. At $26,000-$29,000 per year, four-year costs of $103,000-$116,000 are high for a regional private with $37,400 median earnings. The 12.5-year payback period is long. Middle-income families should model specific program outcomes rather than relying on the institutional median, which is pulled down by several F-grade programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $33,706 per year. Four-year cost around $135,000 is substantial. The 71.9% repayment rate at three years suggests some graduates are not making expected debt progress even after completing the degree. Full-pay families who are mission-aligned with Florida Southern's Methodist liberal arts identity should weigh whether higher-outcome or lower-cost alternatives serve the same goals at less financial risk.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Florida Southern College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,104 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $93,335 | B |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $52,796 | D |
| Psychology | $53,344 | D |
| Computer Science | $82,328 | - |
| Accounting | $72,480 | C |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $43,549 | D |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $38,358 | C |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $51,925 | F |
| Biology | $58,782 | D |
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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Florida Southern's strongest program: 52 graduates, $75,019 year-one, $93,335 at year four, ROI grade B, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.360 with $27,000 median debt. The 0.360 debt-to-earnings ratio is the best in the Florida Southern program catalog. Florida nursing wages are strong in the Lakeland-Tampa corridor, supporting the $75k year-one figure. The four-year trajectory to $93k reflects salary progression in Florida's healthcare market. Students who complete nursing here enter a strong regional employment market.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program with 114 graduates, $43,581 year-one, $65,104 at year four, C+ ROI grade, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.533 with $23,250 median debt. The $23,250 median debt is below the Stafford cap, indicating below-average borrowing for this cohort. Year-one of $43k against $23,250 in debt is a workable starting position. The four-year trajectory to $65k reflects career advancement or MBA enrollment. The C+ grade is acceptable for a Florida private business program.
Psychology
Psychology produces 34 graduates with a D ROI grade: $28,316 year-one, $53,344 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.901 with $25,500 median debt. Year-one earnings near $28k against $25,500 in debt is a difficult early financial position. The D grade reflects marginal debt-to-earnings performance. Psychology at Florida Southern, as at most small privates, primarily serves students bound for graduate counseling, clinical psychology, or social work programs. Students relying on the bachelor's alone to service this debt will face financial stress.
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Drama/Theatre enrolls 29 graduates with an F ROI grade: $22,336 year-one, $51,925 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.209 with $27,000 median debt. Year-one earnings below $23k against $27,000 in debt is a financially severe outcome. Florida Southern has a recognized theatre program, but the Scorecard data documents the earnings reality of the performing arts track. Students choosing theatre here must have both non-financial motivations and financial resources beyond wages to manage the debt load in the early career years.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 66.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 64.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-30 |
| Enrollment | 2,656 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 28.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,031 |
Florida Southern admits 64.4% of applicants. SAT 560-650 Math and 590-680 Reading and ACT 25-30 describe a moderately competitive academic profile. Applicants below the 25th percentile should treat this as a reach. The academic bar combined with the 70.6% completion rate indicates reasonable pre-enrollment preparation and support. Students at or above the mid-range have a strong probability of admission.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Florida Southern's peer set includes Baptist University of Florida, Barry University, Berry College, Bob Jones University, and Southern Adventist University. Among Florida private colleges, Florida Southern is more selective and better-resourced than many faith-affiliated peers. Barry University (also Florida, Catholic) is a closer geographic peer. Florida Southern's 70.6% completion rate outperforms most peers in this sub-group. The 71.9% repayment rate is the metric that most underperforms expectations given the otherwise solid completion profile.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Southern College (this school) | 46 | $28,551 | $55,294 |
| Berry College | 48 | $22,320 | $53,800 |
| Bob Jones University | 47 | $16,641 | $44,354 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| Southern Adventist University | 41 | $24,345 | $53,723 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
Who Thrives Here
Florida Southern admits 64.4% of applicants — moderately selective. SAT mid-ranges are 560-650 Math and 590-680 Reading; ACT composite 25-30. Enrollment is 2,656. The Pell grant rate of 28.1% reflects a predominantly middle-income student body. Florida Southern has a traditional Methodist liberal arts identity with Frank Lloyd Wright architecture on campus. The 70.6% completion rate suggests strong retention. Students choosing health sciences or business have the clearest financial path; students in performing arts or social sciences face weak outcomes against significant debt.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Florida Southern College is mixed. At $28,551 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $55,294 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.5 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 70.5% graduation rate. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $25,000 against $55,294 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.