Head-to-head comparison
University of West Florida vs St. Thomas University: which has better ROI?
Option A Pensacola, FL
University of West Florida
- Net price / year
- $9,364
- Earnings, 10 years
- $49,137
- Payback
- 48.2 yrs
Option B Miami Gardens, FL
St. Thomas University
- Net price / year
- $26,312
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,272
- Payback
- 17.8 yrs
St. Thomas University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $105,248 in 17.8 years versus 48.2 years at University of West Florida, on median earnings of $54,272 vs $49,137 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of West Florida | St. Thomas University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,364 | $26,312 |
| Total net cost | $37,456 | $105,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,137 | $54,272 |
| Median debt | $16,624 | $19,125 |
| Payback | 48.2 yrs | 17.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$21,916 | $12,992 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of West Florida or St. Thomas University?
University of West Florida, at $9,364 a year after aid versus $26,312 — a gap of $16,948 a year, or $67,792 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 West Florida or St. Thomas University graduates earn more?
St. Thomas University graduates report a median $54,272 ten years after entry, $5,135 more than the $49,137 at University of West Florida. 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 West Florida or St. Thomas University?
University of West Florida: its completers carry a median $16,624 in federal loans versus $19,125 at St. Thomas University, a difference of $2,501. 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?
59% of students finish at University of West Florida, against 48% at St. Thomas 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.