Southeastern University
- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $46,744 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $31,942 F
- 86% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 53% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 10.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $10.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,175,089.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 43% — 25% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southeastern University Matters
Southeastern University is a private doctoral / professional university in Lakeland, FL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 4,813
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 27
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology, Communications
Why students choose Southeastern University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 53% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,942 a year after grants and scholarships — 86% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $46,744 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southeastern University has an acceptance rate of 53%, making it accessible for many students seeking a private nonprofit education in Lakeland, FL. With an enrollment of 4,813, the university offers a close-knit community for students to thrive.
Graduates of Southeastern University earn an average of $46,744 within ten years of completing their degree. While specific mobility rates are not available, the economic connectedness data can indicate how well the university supports students from various backgrounds. The 22% of students receiving Pell Grants suggests a commitment to aiding those with financial need.
The net price of attendance is $31,942, and the median debt for graduates is $21,500. Students who excel here typically pursue popular programs like Business, Humanities, Psychology, Communications, and Education. This school is ideal for individuals seeking a supportive environment to advance their education and career prospects without overwhelming debt.
Rankings
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Florida
- #17 Best Online Education Programs in Florida
- #19 Best Communications Colleges in Florida
- #23 Best Psychology Colleges in Florida
- #23 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Florida
- #24 Best Bachelor's Programs in Florida
- #24 Best Online Colleges in Florida
- #24 Best Business Colleges in Florida
Can I Get In?
How selective Southeastern University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southeastern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southeastern University, located in Lakeland, Florida, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 53% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 53%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,041
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 27:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 2,182
- Admitted
- 1,328
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southeastern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southeastern University is $32,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,942. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $29,498 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $32,950
- Out-of-State
- $32,950
- Avg Net Price
- $31,942
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $29,498
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $29,185
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $31,185
- Family Income $110K+
- $34,482
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Southeastern University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southeastern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southeastern University earn a median of $46,744, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,314
- 8 Years
- $41,826
- 10 Years
- $46,744
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (244)
- 32%
- 100% (244)
- 32%
- 100% (244)
- 32%
- 100% (244)
- 32%
How Southeastern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Southeastern University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southeastern University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,942/year ($127,768 total). Graduates earn $46,744 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,302,857 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,175,089 (10.2× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $127,768
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,302,857
- Net Return
- $1,175,089
- ROI Multiple
- 10.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,942
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Southeastern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southeastern University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.62%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 27.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $38,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.62%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 2.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 27.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $52,172
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $1,057,777
Top Programs
The fields Southeastern University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $48,104 early-career
- Humanities 12%
- Psychology 8% $26,682 early-career
- Communications 7% $32,212 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $68,576 early-career
- Education 4% $44,210 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Criminal Justice 2% $36,908 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southeastern University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southeastern University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southeastern University, located in Lakeland, Florida, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 53% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southeastern University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southeastern University is $32,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,942. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $29,498 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Southeastern University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southeastern University earn a median of $46,744, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southeastern University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southeastern University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.62%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 27.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 2.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $38,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southeastern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southeastern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southeastern University.
- Delaware State UniversityDover, DE · Close peer39% grad $49,307 earn 47% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Close peer56% grad $44,498 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR · Close peer42% grad $45,265 earn 59% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO · Close peer50% grad $53,278 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Touro UniversityNew York, NY · Close peer68% grad $53,419 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southeastern University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southeastern University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note