Tallahassee, FL · Private University
Is Florida State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$61,675
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$5,656
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,786
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$75,144
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.28x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
83.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,997
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Florida State University graduates earn $16,675 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 State University ranked by graduate earnings
26 graduates
43 graduates
24 graduates
47 graduates
76 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Florida State 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 State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $94,745) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $21,730) is $73,015/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $94,745 | 5.0x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $90,981 | 4.8x |
| Industrial Engineering | $90,074 | 4.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,060 | 4.7x |
| Chemical Engineering | $87,015 | 4.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,969 | 4.3x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $78,609 | 4.2x |
| Insurance | $78,449 | 4.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $77,447 | 4.1x |
| Real Estate | $76,464 | 4.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,328 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,193 | 4.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $73,180 | 3.9x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $68,379 | 3.6x |
| Statistics | $64,697 | 3.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,095 | 3.4x |
| Marketing | $62,764 | 3.3x |
| Economics | $61,738 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,621 | 3.2x |
| Security Science and Technology(1yr data) | $58,249 | 3.1x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $57,836 | 3.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $56,627 | 3.0x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $56,062 | 3.0x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $54,324 | 2.9x |
| Chemistry | $53,528 | 2.9x |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $53,064 | 2.8x |
| Mathematics | $52,985 | 2.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $52,157 | 2.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $51,681 | 2.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $51,262 | 2.7x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,082 | 2.7x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $50,526 | 2.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $49,458 | 2.6x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $49,126 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,000 | 2.6x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $48,625 | 2.6x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $48,264 | 2.6x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $48,058 | 2.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,095 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,072 | 2.5x |
| Social Sciences, General | $47,057 | 2.5x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $45,265 | 2.4x |
| Social Work | $44,546 | 2.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,526 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, General | $44,481 | 2.4x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,028 | 2.3x |
| History | $43,451 | 2.3x |
| Sociology | $43,329 | 2.3x |
| Philosophy | $42,507 | 2.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $42,244 | 2.3x |
| Geography and Cartography | $42,075 | 2.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $42,000 | 2.2x |
| Biology, General | $39,559 | 2.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $38,712 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,699 | 2.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $35,950 | 1.9x |
| Music | $35,173 | 1.9x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $27,277 | 1.4x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $21,877 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $21,730 | 1.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | 3.28x | $61,675 | Strong ROI |
| University of Florida | 2.50x | $71,588 | Strong ROI |
| University of Georgia | 2.27x | $68,726 | Strong ROI |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 1.76x | $75,121 | Good ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
| University of South Florida | 3.33x | $57,743 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Florida State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $61,675 10 years after starting — $16,675 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.8 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.