Clearwater, Florida Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Clearwater, Florida shows: median public in-state tuition $25,056 (+354.6% vs national median) median graduate debt $18,372 (+36.8% vs U.S.) 11,013 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 6 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 11,013 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $25,056 (+354.6% vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,630 (+127.0% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $18,372 (+36.8% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $14,173
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Clearwater, Florida—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Florida and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Clearwater vs Florida & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater, Florida | $25,056 | $22,630 | $18,372 | N/A | 11,013 |
| Florida (state median) | $3,110 | $7,247 | $13,000 | 53.6% | 857,173 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Clearwater, Florida vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater, Florida | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| Florida (state median) | $49,137 | 82.9% | 75.6% | 5.5% | — | 65.9% | 0.42 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Florida (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater, Florida | $25,056 | $22,630 | $18,372 | N/A | 11,013 | N/A | N/A |
| Orlando | $17,408 | $19,775 | $13,048 | 38.9% | 110,169 | $65,295 | 83.1% |
| Miami | $15,868 | $18,120 | $9,500 | 54.8% | 107,560 | $55,966 | 84.7% |
| Tampa | $18,145 | $19,484 | $13,000 | 48.9% | 74,134 | $40,092 | 79.2% |
| Gainesville | $5,128 | $15,692 | $15,000 | 84.7% | 52,208 | $71,588 | 88.7% |
| Gainesville | $5,128 | $15,692 | $15,000 | 84.7% | 52,208 | $71,588 | 88.7% |
| Tallahassee | $5,720 | $11,297 | $13,500 | 53.3% | 51,736 | $53,012 | 89.1% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $25,056 | $22,838 | $24,149 | 61.0% | 50,305 | $46,933 | 80.6% |
| Jacksonville | $15,733 | $21,981 | $13,000 | 35.5% | 41,036 | $56,343 | 87.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
In-state tuition: Clearwater, Florida vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Clearwater, Florida median in-state tuition is $25,056, +354.6% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Clearwater, Florida vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Clearwater, Florida is $18,372 (+36.8% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $14,173.
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Clearwater, Florida median public in-state tuition is $25,056, about +354.6% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +401.9%.
Median graduate debt is $18,372 (+36.8% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
FAQ
How many colleges are in Clearwater?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 6 campuses in Clearwater, Florida with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Clearwater?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Clearwater is $25,056 and median net price is $22,630. For Florida overall, medians are $3,110 and $7,247; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Clearwater?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Clearwater is N/A vs $49,137 for Florida and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Clearwater colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Clearwater is $18,372 vs $13,000 for Florida and $13,432 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Clearwater?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 6 College Scorecard campuses in Clearwater, Florida, none are flagged as HBCUs or tribal colleges in IPEDS, and none meet our 25% Hispanic-enrollment HSI proxy or report a religious affiliation in IPEDS.
Sources & related
- Florida college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON