Florida Southwestern State College combines exceptional affordability with earnings performance that substantially exceeds expectations. As an Under-Resourced Institution, the college provides accessible education for diverse student populations while delivering $11,676 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking in the top 25% nationally for value creation relative to student demographics and institutional characteristics.
Around the national average, balancing earnings outcomes with educational investment
With top-tier performance, reflecting exceptional value through low debt levels and controlled net prices
With top-tier results, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students
With typical outcomes, reflecting average economic advancement results
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top-tier affordability performance
Florida Southwestern State College ranks #316 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing at the 84.3rd percentile with well above average overall performance. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this large public institution demonstrates exceptional strength in affordability, ranking at the 94.0th percentile with top-tier performance.
The college excels in access, ranking at the 90.6th percentile, serving 33.6% Pell-eligible students, 50.4% first-generation students, and 47.3% transfer students. Graduates earn $11,676 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 87.6th percentile nationally.
With median student debt of just $8,000, significantly below the peer median of $19,500, Florida Southwestern State College combines exceptional affordability with well above average earnings performance. The Under-Resourced Institutions quadrant reflects typical mobility outcomes alongside strong access and cost advantages for diverse student populations.
Florida Southwestern State College delivers exceptional affordability alongside well above average earnings performance relative to expectations. Graduates earn a median of $43,421 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $26,268 at the 25th percentile to $63,096 at the 75th percentile.
The institution generates $11,676 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 87.6th percentile nationally on this value measure. Low-income graduates earn $35,500, demonstrating outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking affordable access to higher education with strong earnings beyond expectations, particularly first-generation students (50.4%) and Pell-eligible students (33.6%). Well-suited for transfer students (47.3%) looking for a large public institution with demonstrated affordability and value.
Florida Southwestern State College's Under-Resourced Institutions designation reflects typical mobility outcomes while maintaining excellent affordability and access performance.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Florida Southwestern State College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/florida-southwestern-state-college/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Florida Southwestern State College offers exceptional affordability across all income levels, with comprehensive costs significantly below peer institutions. In-state tuition stands at $3,401, while out-of-state tuition reaches $12,979, both representing substantial savings compared to typical four-year institutions.
The average net price of $8,249 sits $5,921 below the peer median of $14,170, demonstrating the college's commitment to accessible education. Net prices vary systematically by family income, ranging from $6,953 for families earning under $30,000 to $14,458 for families earning over $110,000.
This $7,505 gap between lowest and highest income tiers reflects targeted financial aid that reduces barriers for lower-income students. The combination of low sticker prices and need-based aid creates affordability advantages across the entire income spectrum.
Florida Southwestern State College's pricing structure supports its mission of providing accessible higher education to diverse student populations, particularly the 33.6% of students who are Pell-eligible and 50.4% who are first-generation college students.
Florida Southwestern State College graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $37,028 six years after enrollment to $40,497 at eight years and $43,421 at ten years, representing 17.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on robust cohort sizes of 4,104 graduates at six years, 4,698 at eight years, and 6,024 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $11,676 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Florida Southwestern State College at the 87.6th percentile for earnings uplift performance.
Low-income graduates earn $35,500, reflecting outcomes for the substantial population of Pell-eligible students. The earnings distribution spans from $26,268 at the 25th percentile to $63,096 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.4:1 ratio that reflects diverse career paths and program choices.
Compared to peer institutions with similar characteristics, Florida Southwestern State College graduates earn $14,203 less in median income but achieve substantially better value through lower educational costs and strong earnings relative to expectations.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
159 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
76 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
99 graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other.
22 graduates
Florida Southwestern State College's program-level data shows loan affordability across multiple fields. Business programs demonstrate excellent affordability with expected loan payments under 8% of discretionary income and standard payoff timelines under 10 years.
Health Professions programs similarly show excellent affordability ratings despite higher early-career earnings potential, with two-year earnings of $64,919 rising to $79,301 by four years post-graduation. Education programs maintain excellent affordability with early earnings of $41,961 growing to $47,028 by the four-year mark.
Security and Protective Services programs show strong earning potential with two-year income of $50,856 advancing to $56,721 at four years, all while maintaining excellent loan affordability. Across all tracked program categories, debt capacity analysis shows no negative amortization risk under income-driven repayment plans, indicating sustainable debt levels relative to expected earnings trajectories throughout these fields of study.
