Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked among the Top 20 universities in the nation for return on investment (ROI), outperforming some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, according to a new analysis by EDsmart, a publisher of data-driven college ratings.
The ranking evaluated 1,755 four-year colleges nationwide and found that Florida Poly offers one of the highest value degrees for the cost. The University’s ROI was 163%, compared to an average of 148% among elite colleges such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.
Florida Poly’s strong performance places it among respected institutions such as Cal State and the City University of New York (CUNY).
“Florida Poly continues to prove that students don’t need to attend an Ivy League school to achieve outstanding career success,” said Andy Oguntola, the University’s assistant vice president for enrollment management. “Our graduates’ strong return on investment shows how affordable, high-quality STEM education can lead to incredible outcomes.”
Florida Poly graduates earn the highest median salaries among all institutions in the State University System one year after graduation, according to the state’s Board of Governors, and have the lowest student debt, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The University has not raised tuition since it opened in 2014, and its rates remain the lowest among the state’s public universities.
“As we continue to grow and innovate, our commitment to affordability and student success will keep Florida Poly among the nation’s top institutions,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, provost. “These rankings are just the beginning of what’s ahead.”
To determine ROI, defined as how much a graduate earns for every dollar invested in their degree, EDsmart analyzed U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data and considered factors such as total degree cost, average time to earn a degree, and average salary six years after graduation.
“Prestige isn’t the same as payoff,” said Tyson Stevens, CEO and founder of EDsmart. “Our analysis shows many regional schools deliver more value on this ROI metric than elite peers.”
In August, student loan referral service Student Choice showed that degrees in computer science and engineering deliver the highest ROI for college students nationwide, with averages of 310% and 326%, respectively. At Florida Poly, where the majority of students pursue these high-value degrees, the ROI was even higher.
Florida Poly also has earned distinction for academic excellence, career outcomes and affordability:
- No. 1 public college in the South for five consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report)
- No. 1 for highest alumni wages among Florida’s state universities, with a median of $66,800 one year after graduation (Florida Board of Governors)
- Top 10 Best Value College in the U.S. (Research.com)
- Top 10 in the nation for best career outcomes for two consecutive years (WalletHub)
- Top 30 in the nation for public engineering programs without a Ph.D. (U.S. News & World Report)
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
