Head-to-head comparison
University of South Florida vs Florida Atlantic University: which has better ROI?
Option A Tampa, FL
University of South Florida
- Net price / year
- $9,812
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,743
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
Option B Boca Raton, FL
Florida Atlantic University
- Net price / year
- $8,752
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,746
- Payback
- 4.2 yrs
University of South Florida has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $39,248 in 4.2 years versus 4.2 years at Florida Atlantic University, on median earnings of $57,743 vs $56,746 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Florida | Florida Atlantic University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,812 | $8,752 |
| Total net cost | $39,248 | $35,008 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,743 | $56,746 |
| Median debt | $17,988 | $17,236 |
| Payback | 4.2 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $148,412 | $132,712 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of South Florida or Florida Atlantic University?
Florida Atlantic University, at $8,752 a year after aid versus $9,812 — a gap of $1,060 a year, or $4,240 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of South Florida or Florida Atlantic University graduates earn more?
University of South Florida graduates report a median $57,743 ten years after entry, $997 more than the $56,746 at Florida Atlantic University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of South Florida or Florida Atlantic University?
Florida Atlantic University: its completers carry a median $17,236 in federal loans versus $17,988 at University of South Florida, a difference of $752. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at University of South Florida, against 63% at Florida Atlantic University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.