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Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, FL 21,956 Undergrads 38.1% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$16,830
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$9,182
After Aid
Median Earnings
$48,635
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$9,182
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$48,635
Peer Midpoint: $50,127.5
Graduation Rate38.1%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients45.1%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time36.0%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS56.0%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$519k
+$3k
+$35k
Median Cost$9k/yr
+$502k
-$13k
+$18k
Full Cost$17k/yr
+$488k
-$28k
+$4k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
34
∞
Median Cost$9k/yr
42
105%
Full Cost$17k/yr
57
12%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return134%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-11%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Certificates
Accounting and Related Services
CertCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,589
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
CertCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$34,711
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
-$82k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
CertCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$4,025
Earnings (4yr)
$68,457
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
+$272k
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
CertCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,705
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biotechnology
CertCIP: 2612
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,955
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
CertCIP: 4604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $42,012
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
CertCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $47,440
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer and Information Sciences, General
CertCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,984
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Programming
CertCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,556
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
CertCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,400
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
CertCIP: 1204
Median Debt
$4,500
Earnings (4yr)
$31,237
Natl Median: $26,307
Lifetime Value Added
-$121k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$4,892
Earnings (4yr)
$78,216
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$367k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,204
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
+$96k
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,154
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$42k
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1517
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,796
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
CertCIP: 1500
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,354
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fire Protection
CertCIP: 4302
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,689
Natl Median: $62,436
Lifetime Value Added
+$255k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
CertCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,447
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$47,547
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,199
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Homeland Security
CertCIP: 4303
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,995
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
CertCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,962
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$38,561
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
-$40k
Legal Support Services
CertCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,747
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
$6,014
Earnings (4yr)
$57,893
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$166k
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$46,610
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$47k
Real Estate
CertCIP: 5215
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$55,978
Natl Median: $46,762
Lifetime Value Added
+$147k
Security Science and Technology
CertCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,296
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services
CertCIP: 5135
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$30,028
Natl Median: $29,652
Lifetime Value Added
-$134k
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,615
Natl Median: $40,127
Lifetime Value Added
+$69k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$43,464
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$13k
Associate's Degrees
Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$35,060
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Air Transportation
AssocCIP: 4901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,495
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$11,250
Earnings (4yr)
$62,303
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$149k
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
AssocCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,283
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $51,168
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$56,659
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$96k
Computer and Information Sciences, General
AssocCIP: 1101
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$52,616
Natl Median: $54,246
Lifetime Value Added
+$57k
Computer Programming
AssocCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,070
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,988
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
+$21k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
$8,000
Earnings (4yr)
$47,776
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
+$9k
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
AssocCIP: 1510
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $71,367
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$67,713
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$199k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$40,966
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$59k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General
AssocCIP: 1500
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,343
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
AssocCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,095
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
AssocCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,186
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Health and Medical Administrative Services
AssocCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $37,073
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Hospitality Administration/Management
AssocCIP: 5209
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$36,364
Natl Median: $41,099
Lifetime Value Added
-$105k
Legal Support Services
AssocCIP: 2203
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,314
Natl Median: $44,669
Lifetime Value Added
+$44k
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$6,139
Earnings (4yr)
$44,569
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$23k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,340
Natl Median: $40,734
Lifetime Value Added
-$25k
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
AssocCIP: 0301
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,634
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5118
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $48,724
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$8,750
Earnings (4yr)
$83,171
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$337k
Security Science and Technology
AssocCIP: 4304
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,215
Natl Median: $43,839
Lifetime Value Added
+$43k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
AssocCIP: 1312
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$38,687
Natl Median: $37,656
Lifetime Value Added
-$82k
Bachelor's Degrees
Business Administration, Management and Operations
BachCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$12,052
Earnings (4yr)
$54,096
Natl Median: $68,257
Lifetime Value Added
-$30k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
BachCIP: 1110
Median Debt
$10,150
Earnings (4yr)
$69,612
Natl Median: $85,063
Lifetime Value Added
+$93k
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
BachCIP: 5111
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $61,911
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
BachCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$10,500
Earnings (4yr)
$85,210
Natl Median: $88,910
Lifetime Value Added
+$213k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.