Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of West Florida #163 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,723, placing University of West Florida in the 71.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of West Florida sits in the 71.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting graduate outcomes that consistently outpace what similar students earn at comparable institutions. University of West Florida's composite ranking reflects a balance of return, access, and mobility working together — delivering graduate earnings that exceed expectations for a broad-access public university in Florida. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,723, a figure that places the university among the stronger performers for earnings beyond expectations in the nonprofit four-year institutions coverage set.
Azimuth ranks University of West Florida #163 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 89.0 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 88.8% and a six-year graduation rate of 58.8%. Return on investment ranks #694, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $67,723. Graduates earn about $3,289 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 71.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 95.0 percentile; published cost of attendance is $19,947, and the middle-income net price is $8,077. Access sits in the 83.0 percentile, with 33.1% receiving Pell Grants and 36.1% first-generation.
University of West Florida's published cost of attendance is $19,947, but need-based aid meaningfully reduces what most families pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $4,815, middle-income families pay around $8,077, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,620. Azimuth ranks University of West Florida #72 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. For more on how published costs compare with what families actually pay, see the net price illusion. University of West Florida participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study. As a public university in Florida, students may also benefit from state grant programs that further reduce net cost for qualifying residents. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for lower-income households, where institutional and state aid combine to bring annual costs well below the published figure. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,624, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,269; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,723, median federal debt of $16,624 projects to a monthly payment of about $188 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Azimuth ranks University of West Florida #163 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $67,723, placing University of West Florida in the 71.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of West Florida sits in the 71.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting strong graduate outcomes relative to similar students at comparable institutions. Washburn University's composite ranking reflects a consistent pattern across return, affordability, and mobility — with graduates in health and related fields achieving earnings that hold up well against comparable institutions nationwide. The university's standing among nonprofit four-year institutions is anchored by solid median earnings and a meaningful earnings-beyond-expectations advantage, making it a notable option for students in Topeka seeking durable financial outcomes at a public institution.
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
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of West Florida hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of West Florida's published cost of attendance is $19,947, but need-based aid meaningfully reduces what most families pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $4,815, middle-income families pay around $8,077, and higher-income families pay approximately $16,620.
Azimuth ranks University of West Florida #72 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
For more on how published costs compare with what families actually pay, see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/). University of West Florida participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study.
As a public university in Florida, students may also benefit from state grant programs that further reduce net cost for qualifying residents. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for lower-income households, where institutional and state aid combine to bring annual costs well below the published figure.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $16,624, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,269; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $67,723, median federal debt of $16,624 projects to a monthly payment of about $188 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of West Florida earn median 4-year earnings of $67,723, placing University of West Florida in the 71.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,289 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 71.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of West Florida #694 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 384 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $89,346, ranked #94 nationally in its major. Psychology, General reports 132 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $45,101, ranked #259 nationally in its major.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General reports 122 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $55,704, ranked #41 nationally in its major. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness reports 119 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,645, ranked #155 nationally in its major.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
46 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
384 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
79 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
60 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
71 graduates
University of West Florida's program mix is anchored in Health, with meaningful concentrations in Business (13%), Social Sciences (6%), and Engineering (5%). The largest programs by cohort size are Nursing (384 graduates), Psychology, General (132 graduates), and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (122 graduates), reflecting the university's applied-professional orientation in northwest Florida.
Across 47 programs serving roughly 2,254 students annually, 24 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. Nursing combines strong enrollment with solid earnings, making it a key contributor to University of West Florida's overall financial outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Nursing #85 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with graduates earning $89,346 — the highest four-year earnings at the institution. Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $79,520, and Azimuth ranks the program #133 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment.
Business Administration rounds out the top earners at $72,805, with a national rank of #76 among nonprofit four-year institutions. The program portfolio splits between high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways — particularly in nursing, business, and accounting, where four-year earnings reflect labor-market outcomes — and fields like Kinesiology and Biology, General where graduates may pursue additional credentials before peak earnings materialize.
The Kinesiology program graduates 119 students annually with median earnings of $48,645, while The Biology, General program graduates 116 students earning $48,576.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of South Alabama Higher acceptance rate (12.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 58 miles away; similar median earnings four years after completion | AL | 71% | $62,459 | Compare |
University Of South Alabama Same region (58 miles away) with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | AL | 71% | $62,459 | Compare |
Southern Adventist University Similar admission rate (7.3 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (9 point difference) with similar program focus | TN | 66% | $58,282 | Compare |
University Of Michigan-Dearborn 14.1% higher median earnings four years after completion with nearly identical cost | MI | 56% | $77,294 | Compare |
Cuny Lehman College 66.4% lower net price with similar earnings and similar program focus | NY | 57% | $63,353 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morgan State University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $62308 versus $67723; same region (Southeast) | MD | 82% | $62,308 | #148 |
University Of South Alabama Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $62459 versus $67723; same region (Southeast) | AL | 71% | $62,459 | #332 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $74396 versus $67723; same region (Southeast) | MD | 72% | $74,396 | #162 | Compare |
University Of Alabama At Birmingham Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $64969 versus $67723; same region (Southeast) | AL | 88% | $64,969 | #267 | Compare |
Tennessee Technological University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $57413 versus $67723; same region (Southeast) | TN | 76% | $57,413 | #263 | Compare |
