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Florida Southern College

Lakeland, FL·Private nonprofit·2,607 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 2,607 students.

59%
Accept
2,607
Students
$29,664
Net Price
69%
Grad Rate
$44,400
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Florida Southern College is a private nonprofit institution located in Lakeland, Florida with approximately 2,607 undergraduate students enrolled. Florida Southern College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 59%. The average net price after financial aid is $29,664 per year. The graduation rate is 69%, and the typical graduate earns $44,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Florida Southern College is a private college in Lakeland, Florida, United States. In 2019, the student population at FSC consisted of 3,073 students along with 130 full-time faculty members. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs. The institution is home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

Worth considering if you want a tight-knit campus experience with a genuinely unique setting — the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture alone makes it one of the more distinctive small colleges in the South. The numbers tell a mixed story, though: a 69% graduation rate and 78% freshman retention suggest a meaningful share of students don't finish, and median earnings of $44,400 a decade out aren't spectacular given a $29,664 annual net price. The relatively low debt at graduation ($19,500) is a real bright spot, so if you're disciplined about aid and have a clear career path, the value proposition improves considerably.

Founded
1883
Setting
Midsize city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing24%
Biological Sciences15%
Visual & Performing Arts12%
Health Professions10%
Communications7%
Social Sciences7%
Education6%
Psychology5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Morgan Ortagus

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1263
Reading 75th %ile660
Math 75th %ile650

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite28

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$42,360
Out-of-State Tuition
$42,360
Avg Net Price
$29,664
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants26%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
69%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
78%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$44,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$44,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White67%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino15%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,607 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Florida Southern College

111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr

Lakeland, FL 33801-5698

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Florida

Browse all Florida schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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