Home to 47 ranked institutions, Florida offers a diverse higher education landscape dominated by large public universities alongside specialized private colleges. With 23% public and 77% private nonprofit institutions, graduates earn a median of $50,686 ten years after enrollment—$5,131 lower than the national average, reflecting the state's varied economic sectors from tourism to aerospace.
Graduate earnings across Florida's institutions range from $29,420 to $84,131 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating significant variation in career outcomes. Florida International University leads the rankings with graduates earning $60,249, followed by University of Central Florida at $58,308 and University of South Florida at $57,743. The median earnings gap compared to national averages underscores how program selection and institutional choice directly impact long-term financial outcomes.
While Florida International University dominates the overall rankings, it also serves as the state's premier hidden gem with a 58% acceptance rate. Achieving the highest Azimuth Score of 2.4 while maintaining accessible admissions, FIU demonstrates that students don't need ultra-selective institutions to access top-tier outcomes in Florida's competitive higher education market.
Compare net price, debt, and earnings scenarios
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Miami, FL | $60,249 Median Earnings (10yr) | $7,112 | 58.8% | 73.9% | |
| #2 | Orlando, FL | $58,308 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,170 | 39.5% | 75.1% | |
| #3 | Tampa, FL | $57,743 Median Earnings (10yr) | $4,785 | 41.0% | 74.6% | |
| #4 | University Of FloridaPublic | Gainesville, FL | $71,588 Median Earnings (10yr) | $2,387 | 24.0% | 91.5% |
| #5 | Boca Raton, FL | $56,746 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,120 | 73.4% | 64.3% | |
| #6 | Florida State UniversityPublic | Tallahassee, FL | $61,675 Median Earnings (10yr) | $5,777 | 25.4% | 83.0% |
| #7 | Jacksonville, FL | $56,343 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,465 | 62.3% | 68.2% | |
| #8 | Tallahassee, FL | $44,349 Median Earnings (10yr) | $13,203 | 21.1% | 51.9% | |
| #9 | Fort Myers, FL | $54,560 Median Earnings (10yr) | $6,146 | 76.8% | 56.0% | |
| #10 | Daytona Beach, FL | $84,131 Median Earnings (10yr) | $35,431 | 61.8% | 67.4% | |
| #11 | Pensacola, FL | $49,137 Median Earnings (10yr) | $3,367 | 56.9% | 61.8% | |
| #12 | University Of MiamiPrivate | Coral Gables, FL | $75,328 Median Earnings (10yr) | $17,790 | 18.5% | 84.2% |
| #13 | Nova Southeastern UniversityPrivate | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $59,209 Median Earnings (10yr) | $28,140 | 72.7% | 64.3% |
| #14 | Barry UniversityPrivate | Miami, FL | $55,966 Median Earnings (10yr) | $20,514 | 59.1% | 36.6% |
| #15 | New College Of FloridaPublic | Sarasota, FL | $48,082 Median Earnings (10yr) | $1,528 | 74.0% | 61.8% |
| #16 | Adventhealth UniversityPrivate | Orlando, FL | $72,282 Median Earnings (10yr) | $29,906 | — | 35.6% |
| #17 | Saint Leo UniversityPrivate | Saint Leo, FL | $48,364 Median Earnings (10yr) | $16,216 | 72.1% | 48.8% |
| #18 | Jacksonville UniversityPrivate | Jacksonville, FL | $68,010 Median Earnings (10yr) | $23,467 | 57.3% | 57.0% |
| #19 | Edward Waters UniversityPrivate | Jacksonville, FL | $34,782 Median Earnings (10yr) | $12,861 | 84.8% | 28.0% |
| #20 | Warner UniversityPrivate | Lake Wales, FL | $46,086 Median Earnings (10yr) | $19,182 | 47.8% | 34.9% |
