Palm Beach State College vs University of Central Florida
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +39% | +175% |
| 10-year net gain | $15,202 | $84,647 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $50,451 | $58,292 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $43,936 | $45,569 |
| Average net price | $9,182 | $10,411 |
| Median debt | $7,081 | $18,190 |
| Break-even | 7.2 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 41% | 78% |
| Admission rate | — | 40% |
Palm Beach State College
Break-even
+$15,202 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Central Florida
Strong return
+$84,647 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.