Boca Raton, FL · Private University
Is Florida Atlantic University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,746
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$4,879
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,324
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,296
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.28x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
64.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,236
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$8,001
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Florida Atlantic University graduates earn $11,746 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Florida Atlantic University ranked by graduate earnings
49 graduates
22 graduates
48 graduates
111 graduates
272 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Florida Atlantic University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Florida Atlantic University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $85,244) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $22,950) is $62,294/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $85,244 | 4.9x |
| Ocean Engineering | $79,377 | 4.6x |
| Computer Engineering | $79,158 | 4.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $78,738 | 4.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $77,035 | 4.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,851 | 4.4x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $65,403 | 3.8x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,279 | 3.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,462 | 3.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,630 | 3.5x |
| Architecture | $60,289 | 3.5x |
| International Business | $60,027 | 3.5x |
| Economics | $56,091 | 3.2x |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $55,451 | 3.2x |
| Public Administration | $53,902 | 3.1x |
| Marketing | $53,315 | 3.1x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,176 | 3.1x |
| Mathematics | $52,916 | 3.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $52,345 | 3.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $49,874 | 2.9x |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | $48,888 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $48,520 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,229 | 2.8x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $46,882 | 2.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $44,481 | 2.6x |
| Sociology | $44,291 | 2.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,152 | 2.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,321 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,317 | 2.5x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $42,957 | 2.5x |
| Biology, General | $42,872 | 2.5x |
| History | $41,947 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $41,635 | 2.4x |
| Social Work | $41,339 | 2.4x |
| Education, General | $41,275 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $40,799 | 2.4x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $39,965 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $39,411 | 2.3x |
| Chemistry | $38,316 | 2.2x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $37,865 | 2.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,266 | 2.0x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $32,756 | 1.9x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $32,257 | 1.9x |
| Anthropology | $26,622 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $22,950 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Florida Atlantic University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,746 10 years after starting — $11,746 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.