Florida Atlantic University combines accessible admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $19,325 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions and net prices well below cost of attendance, supporting long-term financial success.
With strong results, supported by earnings beyond expectations and manageable debt levels
With excellent performance, driven by controlled costs and low net prices across income levels
With excellent performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into earnings advancement
With excellent performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert educational access into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisFlorida Atlantic University delivers strong earnings outcomes relative to student demographics and educational investment. Graduates earn a median of $56,746 ten years after enrollment, ranking above average at the 62nd percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $37,067 at the 25th percentile to $81,414 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across program offerings. The institution generates $19,325 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 93.9th percentile nationally on this critical measure of educational value.
Students seeking affordable access to career-focused programs with strong economic mobility outcomes. Well-suited for first-generation students (38.8%) and Pell-eligible students (35.1%) looking for a large public research university that delivers earnings beyond expectations.
Florida Atlantic University's Mobility Engine designation makes it ideal for students prioritizing post-graduation financial advancement over admission selectivity.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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Mobility Engine with top-tier economic advancement
Florida Atlantic University ranks #64 nationally, with excellent mobility performance at the 96.2nd percentile leading all four institutional pillars. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public research university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 73.4% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation economic outcomes.
Florida Atlantic University enrolls 35.1% Pell-eligible students and 38.8% first-generation students, demonstrating strong commitment to educational access. Graduates earn $19,325 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 93.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $56,746 ten years after enrollment, placing Florida Atlantic University above average at the 62nd percentile. This combination of accessible admission, above-average access measures, and strong economic outcomes places Florida Atlantic University firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions serve diverse student populations while achieving sustained earnings growth.
Florida Atlantic University admits approximately 73.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Florida Atlantic University in the Moderately Selective category, making it significantly more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining meaningful admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates Florida Atlantic University is slightly more selective than typical comparable institutions, with 4.6 percentage points lower acceptance rates. This level of selectivity creates favorable odds for most qualified applicants while ensuring students are prepared for university-level coursework.
For prospective students, Florida Atlantic University represents a realistic admission target for students with solid academic preparation. The moderate selectivity means students should still present competitive applications, but the 73.4% acceptance rate provides reasonable confidence for students whose academic profiles align with enrolled student characteristics.
Students should view Florida Atlantic University as a strong match school rather than a reach, allowing for strategic college list building that includes both more and less selective alternatives. This admission profile supports the university's role as a Mobility Engine, providing access to students from diverse backgrounds who can benefit from strong post-graduation outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Florida Atlantic University's published cost of attendance is $21,054 per year—comprising $17,324 in out-of-state tuition, $12,536 for room and board, and $1,256 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $8,001 after financial aid, representing savings of $13,053 or 62% off the sticker price.
This substantial discount reflects Florida Atlantic University's commitment to affordability across income levels. The average net price of $8,001 compares favorably to the peer median of $15,590, saving families $7,589 annually compared to similar institutions.
For Florida residents, in-state tuition of $4,879 creates even greater value, though the published figures reflect the higher out-of-state rates. This pricing structure positions Florida Atlantic University as an excellent value proposition, combining strong post-graduation outcomes with controlled costs that support accessibility for diverse student populations.
The significant gap between published costs and actual net prices demonstrates the university's effective financial aid programming that makes higher education attainable for students across economic backgrounds while maintaining the resources necessary for quality educational delivery.
Florida Atlantic University graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time, with outcomes supported by large cohort sizes that provide high confidence in reported figures. Median earnings rise from $45,647 six years after enrollment to $51,826 at eight years and $56,746 at ten years, representing 24.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 7,337 graduates, providing robust statistical confidence. Graduates earn $19,325 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Florida Atlantic University at the 93.9th percentile for earnings uplift—a top-tier performance indicator.
Low-income graduates earn $46,200, demonstrating the institution's ability to generate solid outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $37,067 at the 25th percentile to $81,414 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and varied career trajectories.
Approximately 24.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
49 graduates
Ocean Engineering.
24 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
48 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
93 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
226 graduates
Florida Atlantic University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis and ranking. Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program ranks #4 nationally and #2 in Florida, producing 500 graduates with median earnings of $42,957 and an exceptional value score of 87.0.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #97 nationally and #4 in Florida, graduating 226 students with median earnings of $77,035. Corrections Administration ranks #45 nationally and #3 in Florida, with 309 graduates earning $48,229 and a strong value score of 77.0.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #87 nationally and #8 in Florida, graduating 237 students with median earnings of $62,462. Digital Marketing ranks #85 nationally and #5 in Florida, producing 229 graduates with median earnings of $53,315.
Biology, General represents one of the largest programs, graduating 440 students annually with median earnings of $42,872, reflecting strong student demand in biological sciences.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Maryland-College Park Similar quality tier in Southeast (#63 ranked) | MD | 45% | $82,860 | #63 | Compare |
Florida State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#65 ranked) | FL | 25% | $61,675 | #65 | Compare |
New Jersey Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#67 ranked) | NJ | 67% | $84,276 | #67 | Compare |
California State University-East Bay Similar quality tier (#69 ranked) | CA | 97% | $71,401 | #69 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Dallas Similar quality tier (#70 ranked) | TX | 65% | $68,227 | #70 | Compare |