Florida Memorial University demonstrates a strong commitment to educational access, serving primarily first-generation and Pell-eligible students who might otherwise lack college opportunities.
While earnings outcomes are modest, graduates achieve higher-than-expected earnings compared with similar students at other institutions.
Florida Memorial University is a small private nonprofit institution in Miami Gardens, Florida, serving a student body where 66% receive Pell Grants and 46% are first-generation college students. While the university excels at providing access to higher education for underserved populations, it faces significant challenges in delivering strong long-term financial outcomes for graduates.
The institution falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility quadrant, reflecting high access but limited resources to support optimal student outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $36,624 ten years after enrollment, placing the university in the bottom 3% nationally for earnings performance. Despite these earnings challenges, Florida Memorial provides an important pathway to higher education for students who might otherwise lack college access.
As a historically black college and university, Florida Memorial maintains its mission of serving diverse, often first-generation students in South Florida. The university's small size allows for personalized attention and community support, though this comes with trade-offs in terms of program breadth and post-graduation earning potential compared to larger institutions.
Florida Memorial University's program portfolio is quite limited, with Psychology representing the primary academic focus based on available data. The Psychology program graduates about 20 students annually, though early-career earnings average just $16,478 two years after graduation. This modest earning level reflects both the nature of psychology as a field that often requires graduate education for higher-paying positions and the broader challenges facing Florida Memorial graduates in the job market.
The university's small size and limited program breadth mean fewer pathways to high-earning careers compared to larger, more comprehensive institutions. While psychology can lead to meaningful career opportunities, particularly with additional education or training, the current outcomes suggest graduates may need to pursue further education or alternative career paths to achieve stronger financial results. The concentration in psychology also reflects the university's focus on serving students interested in helping professions and social services, which align with its mission but may not optimize for maximum earnings potential.
For students considering Florida Memorial, the program mix suggests the institution is best suited for those who prioritize the educational experience and community support over maximum earning potential. The university's strength lies in providing access and support to underserved populations rather than delivering high-return career preparation.
Graduates of Florida Memorial University face significant financial challenges in the years following college. Ten years after enrollment, the median graduate earns $36,624, placing the institution in the bottom 3% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. However, graduates do earn about $8,661 more than would be expected given their backgrounds and the institution's profile, suggesting the university adds meaningful value despite the modest absolute earnings levels.
The limited program data available shows Psychology as the largest program with 20 graduates, though early-career earnings for psychology majors average just $16,478 two years after graduation. This reflects both the nature of psychology as a field that often requires additional education for higher earnings and the broader challenges facing Florida Memorial graduates in the job market. The university's small size and limited program portfolio mean fewer pathways to high-earning careers compared to larger, more comprehensive institutions.
While the absolute earnings figures are concerning, the positive value-added performance indicates that Florida Memorial is helping students achieve better outcomes than might be expected elsewhere. For students from similar backgrounds attending comparable institutions, Florida Memorial appears to provide meaningful support that translates into modestly higher earnings, even if those earnings remain well below national averages for college graduates.
Florida Memorial University offers relatively strong affordability, particularly for low-income students who form the majority of its student body. Low-income families pay approximately $17,963 annually in net price, while middle-income families see costs around $20,200 per year. Even high-income families face net prices of $27,605, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education accessible across income levels.
The university's private nonprofit status allows it to provide substantial financial aid packages that significantly reduce sticker prices for most students. With 66% of students receiving Pell Grants, Florida Memorial clearly prioritizes serving students with the greatest financial need. The relatively modest differences in net price across income bands suggest the institution works to maintain affordability even for families who don't qualify for the most generous federal aid programs.
However, the combination of modest earnings outcomes and substantial borrowing creates affordability challenges that extend well beyond graduation. While the upfront costs are manageable for a private institution, the long-term financial sustainability becomes more complex when graduates enter the workforce with limited earning potential relative to their debt obligations.
Florida Memorial University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
