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Florida Southwestern State College is a public institution established in 1962. Its primary campus is located in Fort Myers, Florida but there are satellite campuses in Punta Gorda, Naples, and LaBelle. The National Council for Home Safety and Security designated the institution as one of the Safest Colleges in America in 2019.
Faculty and staff are known for valuing student success, integrity, intellectual inquiry, and academic rigor. Their primary goals are to inspire a love for life-long learning, preparing students for responsible participation in a global society, and serving as leaders for intellectual, economic, and cultural awareness. The school also boasts numerous student organizations that allow students to achieve personal, social, and intellectual growth.
Overview of Florida Southwestern State College
As a whole, the college is accredited by Commission of Colleges and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (CCSACS) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Nine programs have been further accredited by other agencies. These include the dental hygiene, nursing, radiologic technology, and respiratory care degrees. Some of the most noteworthy accrediting agencies are the Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA), Commission on Accreditation of Human Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.
General Information
School Type | Primarily associate's, Public |
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Campus Setting | Suburb: Large |
Campus Housing | Yes |
Student Faculty Ratio | 30:1 |
Graduation Rate | 32% |
Year Founded | 1962 |

Student Enrollment
Total Students16,556
16,556
NA
Undergraduate Student
Male 6,126
Female 10,430
Graduate Student
Male NA
Female NA
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Admissions
APPLICATIONSNA
ACCEPTANCENA
Acceptance RateNA
Enrollment NA
Admissions | |
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Application Fee | $30 |
High School GPA | NA |
High School Rank | NA |
High School Transcripts | NA |
College Prep Courses | NA |
Recommendations | NA |
SAT/ACT | NA |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | NA |
Application Deadline | July 31 |
Common Application Accepted | No |
Tuition Cost & Financial Aid
Florida Southwestern State College claims that 70% of students graduate debt free. By offering competitive pricing and a variety of financial aid options, the institution tries to help those enrolled save money while earning their degrees.
The cost of attending classes varies significantly depending on student residency. The estimated cost of attendance for full-time, Florida residents living on campus in the most recent year was around $18,200. Out-of-state students living on campus should expect to pay closer to $27,700, however. Both demographics can save money by living with parents or relatives while enrolled, but those paying to live off campus will likely spend more.
All students seeking financial aid must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which the college uses to determine eligibility for grants, loans, work study opportunities, and scholarships. Florida Southwestern State College makes it easy for students to apply for additional institutional scholarships via a single application. Supplemental application materials may be necessary, such as a formal interview and letter(s) of recommendation. Approximately 74% of full-time, freshmen students enrolled at the school receive some form of financial aid.
Average net price | 2017-2018 |
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Net Price | $6,487 |
Average Total Aid | $6,524 |
Students Receiving Financial Aid | 73% |
Room & Board | $10,500 |
Sticker Price
- Tuition In-State - $3,401
- Tuition Out-of-State - $12,979
- Books and Supplies - $1,950
- Room & Board - $10,500
- Other - $2,320
Academics
Florida Southwestern State College consists of five designated schools: School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; School of Pure and Applied Sciences; School of Business and Technology; School of Education; and School of Health Professionals. It offers 45 academic programs to choose from, with both associate and bachelor degrees available. In total, the college offers five undergraduate degrees, 22 associate degrees, and 30 different certificate programs.
The student population is almost 16,700, with the majority attending classes part-time. The student-to-faculty ratio is 30:1, which is high considering the number of students. However, you can expect your class sizes to decrease after you get past your first couple of years or general education courses. Professors strive to act as personal and professional mentors as students grow to their full potentials.
The retention rate for first-time associate-seeking freshmen in a recent year was 59%. First-time degree and certificate-seeking students attending classes full-time had a 66% retention rate that same year. These figures are significant because they measure the number of individuals who chose to return to the college to continue their studies for a second year. In general, these numbers provide a snapshot of the overall satisfaction among students.
Another important statistic to keep in mind is the graduation rate. Graduation rates track the progress of first-time students enrolled full-time to see whether or not they complete their degree or certificate programs within a standard amount of time. In a recent year, the three-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time, associate-seeking freshmen was just over 33%.
Retention
Rate
4 year
Graduation
Rate
6 year
Graduation
Rate
Student Population Total
Student Population 16,556
16,556
NA
Most Popular Programs & Majors
(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)
All Business Majors | 128 Total Graduates / 38% |
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Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 128 Graduates |
Health Professions and Related Programs | 114 Total Graduates / 34% |
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 108 Graduates |
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 6 Graduates |
All Education Majors | 71 Total Graduates / 21% |
Elementary Education and Teaching | 70 Graduates |
English/Language Arts Teacher Education | 1 Graduates |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services | 25 Total Graduates / 7% |
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other | 25 Graduates |
All Other Diplomas | 0 |
Outcome & Salary
Most Florida Southwestern State College graduates successfully find employment. According to data provided by the college, over 93% of those who graduated with an Associate of Science degree in a recent year had a job within about a year. It’s also worth noting that there are some programs that have a 100% placement rate after graduation.
These include:
- Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Technology
- Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene
- Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
- Associate of Science in Social & Human Services
- Bachelor of Science in Education
Additionally, the college has a 100% licensure pass rate for all of the School of Health Professions programs mentioned above.
Some of the top universities graduates choose for continuing education include:
- Barry University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Nova Southeastern University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Miami
Graduates Salary | |
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College Grads Early Career Salary | $42,100 |
College Grads Average Salary | $56,000 |
College Grads Mid Career Salary | $76,100 |
Return on Investment (ROI) | |
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10 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $560,000 |
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential | $1,321,000 |
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year | $25,948 |
10 Year Projected ROI | $534,052 |
20 Year Projected ROI | $1,295,052 |
No Colleage Education Salary Comparison | |
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National Average Salary | $37,960 |
10 Year Projected Income | $379,600 |
20 Year Projected Income | $759,200 |

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