Stetson University
#6 Best Education Colleges in Florida- Graduation Rate
- 63% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,642 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,372 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 72% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in Florida.
Every $1 spent returns $15.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,145,087.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 27% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.65% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Stetson University Matters
Stetson University is a private university in DeLand, FL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,297
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, Health Professions
Why students choose Stetson 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 72% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1060–1270. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,372 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,642 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 15% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Stetson University has an acceptance rate of 72%, making it accessible for many students looking to further their education in a supportive environment. With a total enrollment of 2,297, students can expect a close-knit community where they can engage with peers and faculty alike.
The earnings after ten years for Stetson graduates average $51,642. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility among its alumni, although specific data on economic connectedness and mobility rates is not available. The school’s focus on programs like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Health Professions may contribute to this earning potential.
Attending Stetson comes with a net price of $19,372 and a median debt of $23,250. These numbers suggest that while the upfront costs are manageable, students should be mindful of their financial commitments. Those who thrive here often have a strong interest in the arts, health, and social sciences, and appreciate a personalized educational experience.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Stetson 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 Stetson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in DeLand, Florida, Stetson University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,176. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- SAT Average
- 1176
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1060–1270
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 66%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,041
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 7,344
- Admitted
- 6,889
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Stetson University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 8% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 8%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 38%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 18%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 88.8%
- vs 71.6% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 134 Early Decision applicants, 119 were admitted — a 88.8% admit rate, roughly 1.2× the 71.6% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 17% of the entering class (119 of 686 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 56% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
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 Stetson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Stetson University is $57,410, 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 $19,372. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,931 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $57,410
- Out-of-State
- $57,410
- Avg Net Price
- $19,372
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,931
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,657
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,327
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,904
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 Stetson 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 Stetson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Stetson University earn a median of $51,642, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,792
- 8 Years
- $49,140
- 10 Years
- $51,642
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (441)
- 57%
- 100% (441)
- 57%
- 100% (441)
- 57%
- 100% (441)
- 57%
How Stetson 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 Stetson University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Stetson University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,372/year ($77,488 total). Graduates earn $51,642 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,222,575 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,145,087 (15.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 63% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $77,488
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,222,575
- Net Return
- $1,145,087
- ROI Multiple
- 15.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,372
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
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 Stetson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Stetson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.65%, among the highest in the country. About 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 36.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.65%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 36.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,555
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-44,061,182
Top Programs
The fields Stetson 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 30% $57,826 early-career
- Social Sciences 11% $38,698 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 10% $31,958 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $28,100 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $25,014 early-career
- Psychology 9% $29,935 early-career
- Education 5% $50,205 early-career
- Communications 4% $29,935 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 Stetson 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
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Stetson University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in DeLand, Florida, Stetson University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 72%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,176. The graduation rate is roughly 63%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Stetson University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Stetson University is $57,410, 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 $19,372. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,931 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Stetson University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Stetson University earn a median of $51,642, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Stetson University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Stetson University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.65%, among the highest in the country. About 7.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 36.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Stetson 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 Stetson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Stetson University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Stetson University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 89%, about 1.2 times the overall 72% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 17% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Stetson University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Stetson University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 56% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Stetson University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Stetson University?
About 8% of admitted students choose to enroll at Stetson University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Stetson University.
- Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR · Close peer66% grad $51,673 earn 68% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC · Close peer59% grad $48,039 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR · Close peer69% grad $53,907 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA · Close peer72% grad $53,800 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Framingham State UniversityFramingham, MA · Close peer49% grad $52,349 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN · Close peer45% grad $51,342 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Stetson 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 Stetson University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note