University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida · Public · 58.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value
The University of West Florida earns a 62 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale — a middling result explained by a wide gap between its strongest and weakest programs. Median 6-year earnings of $33,600 and a 12.6-year payback period reflect a major mix heavily weighted toward lower-earning fields: Psychology (177 graduates, $27,563 year-one), Biology (112 graduates, $28,237 year-one), and Communication and Media Studies (101 graduates, $30,850 year-one) drag the aggregate. The headline conceals genuinely strong tracks: Registered Nursing (318 graduates, $73,787 year-one, $89,346 year-four, B+ ROI) and Electrical Engineering (51 graduates, $64,978 year-one, $91,813 year-four, B+ ROI) produce clean financial outcomes. In-state tuition of $6,360 is among the lowest in this dataset; the net price of $9,364 is accessible. A 58.8% completion rate is the most significant risk — roughly 4 in 10 students who enroll do not finish, and the repayment rate of 65.1% (three-year) indicates that a meaningful share of graduates struggle with loan repayment. Students who target nursing, engineering, or clinical sciences at UWF are likely to see solid returns. Students who enroll in humanities, social sciences, or arts fields face weak earning trajectories against a payback period that extends well over a decade.
University of West Florida
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $6,360/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,241/yr |
| Average net price | $9,364/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $37,456 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,137 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,624 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $176 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 58.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,330 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of West Florida is $6,360/year ($19,241/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $9,364/year, or roughly $37,456 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $4,815/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $16,620/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $16,624 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $176 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $49,137 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.49 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $4,815 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,462 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,077 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,456 |
| $110,001+ | $16,620 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $4,815 per year at UWF — the lowest in the school's aid schedule. Over four years that is roughly $19,260, making UWF genuinely affordable for low-income Florida residents. The 58.8% completion rate is the main risk: low-income students who do not complete face debt without credentials. For those who finish in a nursing or engineering program, the return is strong relative to cost.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $8,077 net price per year, rising to $12,456 for families earning $75,001-110,000. These figures are still modest for a four-year degree. Middle-income families get reasonable pricing, but the return depends heavily on program choice. A UWF nursing graduate at these income brackets will clear debt in a few years; a Communication or Psychology graduate faces a much longer payback horizon against relatively modest cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $16,620 net price per year — about $66,480 over four years. The payback period of 12.6 years is long at this cost level, reflecting the aggregate earnings drag from high-enrollment, low-earning programs. High-income families who send students into nursing, engineering, or computer science will see adequate returns. For those entering liberal arts or social sciences, the financial case at this price point is weak — competing public institutions with stronger outcomes may be a better option.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of West Florida with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $89,346 | B+ |
| Psychology | $45,101 | C |
| Biology | $48,576 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $55,704 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,645 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,352 | C |
| Business Administration and Management | $67,651 | C+ |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,115 | D |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,548 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $79,520 | 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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is UWF's strongest program by both volume and ROI: 318 graduates, $73,787 median year-one earnings, $89,346 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.295 (B+ grade). Median debt of $21,740 is manageable relative to earnings velocity. This is the clearest case for ROI at UWF — the nursing pipeline into the Pensacola and Gulf Coast healthcare market produces reliable outcomes. Students who can gain admission to the nursing program and complete it are among the most financially resilient graduates on this campus.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (51 graduates) earns $64,978 year-one and $91,813 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.277 (B+ grade). At a net price of ~$9,364 and median debt of $17,978, the payback math is favorable — among the best ROI outcomes at this institution. EE graduates enter defense, aerospace, and utility industries concentrated in the Florida Panhandle and along the Gulf Coast. This program consistently delivers above the UWF average.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (54 graduates) earns $45,733 year-one and $79,520 year-four with a B ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.424). Year-one earnings lag the field nationally, reflecting the regional labor market rather than program quality. The four-year trajectory to $79,520 is solid for a regional public. Median debt of $19,385 is moderate. Students who intend to target the national tech market rather than local employers may find stronger pipelines elsewhere.
Psychology
Psychology is UWF's highest-enrollment major at 177 graduates, but the financial outcome is weak: $27,563 year-one, $45,101 year-four, C ROI grade with a 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio. These graduates borrow a median $17,915 and enter a labor market where year-one earnings barely exceed minimum-wage full-time work in Florida. Psychology as a terminal undergraduate degree produces poor financial returns at most institutions; at UWF, the outcome is consistent with that national pattern. Graduate school is effectively required for clinical practice — and the Scorecard does not track those costs or outcomes.
Biology
Biology (112 graduates) earns $28,237 year-one and $48,576 year-four with a C ROI grade (debt-to-earnings 0.655). These are pre-professional students who largely intend medical or dental school — the Scorecard captures only those who enter the labor market directly. Students who enter healthcare graduate programs will have better outcomes, but also substantially more debt. As a terminal undergraduate degree, Biology at UWF does not produce strong financial returns relative to the debt incurred.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 65.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 66.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 58.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 500-600 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 520-630 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 20-27 |
| Enrollment | 9,330 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 33.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,653 |
An admission rate of 58.2% makes UWF moderately selective among Florida public institutions. SAT ranges (500-600 Math, 520-630 Reading) and ACT 20-27 suggest the middle of the test-score distribution is solidly admitted. The net price for the lowest income bracket ($4,815) is the lowest in the schedule — a meaningful signal for Pell-eligible students. Florida residents benefit from a $6,360 in-state tuition that keeps total costs low for academically qualified local students.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UWF's Scorecard peer group includes University of Central Florida (ROI not listed here), Florida A&M, Empire State University, College of Charleston, and University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Among Florida public peers, UWF's 58.8% completion rate and 12.6-year payback period are mediocre. UCF has a substantially higher completion rate and stronger earnings in comparable programs. UWF's key competitive advantage is low in-state cost and direct access to Pensacola-area healthcare employers. Students choosing between UWF and other Florida regionals should compare program-specific outcomes rather than aggregate ROI scores.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of West Florida (this school) | 62 | $9,364 | $49,137 |
| University of Central Florida | 79 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
| Empire State University | 61 | $11,676 | $54,080 |
| College of Charleston | 57 | $18,960 | $56,416 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | 53 | $17,936 | $48,992 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 28 | $13,739 | $44,349 |
Who Thrives Here
UWF admits 58.2% of applicants with a mid-range SAT of 500-600 Math and 520-630 Reading (ACT 20-27). At 9,330 students on the Pensacola campus, it is a regional comprehensive university rather than a research flagship. Pell grant rate of 33.1% reflects a substantial working-class student population. The school is best suited for students who have a clear vocational target — nursing, engineering, health sciences — where UWF programs are demonstrably effective. Students undecided about a field or drawn to the arts, social sciences, or general business should model outcomes carefully before committing.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of West Florida offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $9,364 per year leads to $37,456 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $49,137 a decade out. The payback period of 12.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $16,624 against $49,137 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
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.