Students at the College of Central Florida benefit from exceptionally affordable education, with low-income students paying well below typical rates and all families seeing manageable costs.
The college provides accessible pathways to career credentials, particularly serving first-generation students who want practical training without excessive debt.
The College of Central Florida serves as an accessible gateway to higher education, particularly for students who prioritize affordability and practical career preparation. Located in Ocala, this public institution enrolls a substantial number of first-generation college students (49%) and Pell Grant recipients (40%), reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations who might not otherwise have access to postsecondary education.
While the college's long-term earnings outcomes are modest compared to four-year universities, with graduates earning a median of $38,203 ten years after enrollment, it provides solid value for students seeking affordable credentials in specific fields. The institution's strength lies in its low net prices across all income levels and its role as a stepping stone for students who may transfer to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere.
As a medium-sized public college in Florida, the College of Central Florida offers practical programs that connect directly to local workforce needs. The combination of low debt levels, reasonable completion rates, and targeted career programs makes it a sensible choice for students who want to minimize financial risk while gaining marketable skills in fields like nursing and business administration.
The College of Central Florida's program portfolio centers on practical, career-oriented fields that connect directly to local workforce needs. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, graduating 156 students, and the highest aggregate return major, combining substantial enrollment with reliable post-graduation employment. These graduates earn around $33,850 early in their careers, reflecting the program's focus on practical business skills that translate directly into stable employment opportunities.
Nursing represents the college's strongest earnings program, with Adult Health Nursing graduates earning approximately $64,493 early in their careers—nearly double the institutional average. With 56 graduates annually, the nursing program demonstrates the college's ability to prepare students for high-demand healthcare roles that offer both job security and competitive compensation in Florida's growing healthcare sector.
These two programs reflect the college's broader mission of providing accessible, practical education that leads directly to employment. Rather than offering a comprehensive liberal arts portfolio, the College of Central Florida focuses on fields where graduates can quickly enter stable careers, making it particularly valuable for students who want clear pathways from education to employment without extensive debt accumulation.
Graduates of the College of Central Florida see modest but steady earnings growth over time. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $38,203, which represents reasonable progress from the $33,267 they typically earn six years out. While these earnings levels are lower than those seen at four-year universities, they reflect the institution's focus on practical, career-oriented programs that provide direct pathways into stable employment.
The college's strongest financial outcomes come from its nursing and business programs. Adult Health Nursing graduates earn around $64,493 early in their careers, significantly above the institutional average and competitive with similar programs statewide. Business Administration and Management, the college's largest program with 156 graduates, produces median earnings of $33,850, which aligns closely with the overall institutional performance. These two programs represent the core of the college's career-focused approach, combining solid enrollment numbers with reliable post-graduation employment prospects.
What makes the College of Central Florida particularly valuable is its role in providing accessible career training without excessive debt burden. Many graduates use their credentials as stepping stones to further education or as direct entry points into Florida's growing healthcare and business sectors, where steady employment and advancement opportunities remain available.
The College of Central Florida stands out for its strong affordability across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $11,407 per year in net price, well below national averages for similar institutions, while middle-income families see annual costs of $14,396. Even high-income families pay only $17,950 annually, making the college accessible to a broad range of economic backgrounds without creating significant financial strain.
Debt levels remain very manageable for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $13,000 in federal student loan debt, a modest amount that reflects both the college's low sticker prices and the substantial financial aid available to students. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $8,375, indicating that most families can cover educational costs through a combination of grants, modest borrowing, and personal contributions rather than relying heavily on parent debt.
The college's affordability model works particularly well for students who want to minimize financial risk while gaining practical skills. With net prices that remain reasonable across income bands and debt levels that most graduates can manage comfortably, the College of Central Florida provides a financially sustainable path to career credentials and potential transfer opportunities.
College Of Central Florida Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
