University of West Florida demonstrates exceptional affordability, ranking at the 92. 7th percentile nationally with top-tier performance.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $18,504 |
| Tuition and Fees | $19,241 |
| Room and Board | $12,432 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,600 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$10,349 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $8,155 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $3,367 |
| $30–48k | $5,208 |
| $48–75k | $8,264 |
| $75–110k | $13,090 |
| $110k+ | $15,446 |
University of West Florida demonstrates exceptional affordability, ranking at the 92.7th percentile nationally with top-tier performance. The published cost of attendance totals $18,504 per year, including $6,360 in-state tuition, $12,432 for room and board, and $1,600 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $8,155 after financial aid, representing $10,349 in average savings from the sticker price.
This net price sits $5,938 below the peer median of $14,093, highlighting UWF's competitive advantage in affordability. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $19,241, but financial aid helps control overall costs for eligible students. The institution's affordability stems from both reasonable sticker prices and effective financial aid distribution.
University of West Florida's financial aid system generates average savings of $10,349 per student, reducing the $18,504 cost of attendance to an $8,155 net price. The aid system particularly benefits lower-income students, with families earning under $30,000 receiving aid that covers 82% of total costs.
The 32.6% Pell share indicates substantial enrollment of students from lower-income backgrounds, while the systematic net price structure shows aid is distributed progressively rather than uniformly. Parent PLUS loans average $12,378 with monthly payments of $163, representing additional borrowing options for families needing to bridge funding gaps.
The combination of need-based aid, merit aid, and affordable sticker prices creates multiple pathways for families to manage educational costs. UWF's aid effectiveness, demonstrated by net prices well below peer medians, reflects institutional commitment to accessibility alongside academic quality.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
University of West Florida graduates carry median debt of $16,624, substantially below the peer median of $21,105, creating a favorable debt advantage of $4,481. Debt levels span from $5,500 at the 25th percentile to $23,500 at the 75th percentile, indicating most students graduate with manageable borrowing levels.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 suggests graduates can reasonably service their loans, as debt represents about one-third of first-year earnings. UWF's debt performance ranks at the 83rd percentile nationally, placing it in the strong tier for debt management.
The controlled debt levels result from both reasonable net prices and students' ability to limit borrowing through financial aid, work-study, and family contributions. Parent PLUS debt averages $12,378 with $163 monthly payments, representing additional family borrowing that supplements student loans.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
University of West Florida delivers solid return on educational investment through controlled costs and positive earnings outcomes. While median earnings of $49,137 rank at the 38th percentile nationally, graduates earn $2,062 beyond expectations based on student demographics, placing UWF at the 63.9th percentile for value-added performance.
The institution's debt advantage of $4,481 compared to peer medians, combined with reasonable earnings, creates favorable debt-to-earnings ratios for graduates. The return index ranks at the 34.3rd percentile, indicating modestly below average performance, though this reflects the focus on affordability over maximum earnings.
Low-income graduates earn $42,000, ranking in the top 50% nationally, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in serving disadvantaged students. The combination of top-tier affordability rankings with above-average value-added earnings suggests UWF optimizes for accessible education with reasonable career outcomes rather than maximum earnings at higher cost.
