Florida Atlantic University vs Palm Beach State College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +191% | +39% |
| 10-year net gain | $78,691 | $15,202 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $56,998 | $50,451 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $46,299 | $43,936 |
| Average net price | $8,752 | $9,182 |
| Median debt | $17,236 | $7,081 |
| Break-even | 3.4 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 63% | 41% |
| Admission rate | 66% | — |
Florida Atlantic University
Strong return
+$78,691 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Palm Beach State College
Break-even
+$15,202 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.