Finance Degree in Jacksonville, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Finance degree analysis for Jacksonville, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$129K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.6 yrs
in Jacksonville
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Finance in Jacksonville, FL Overview
Jacksonville is one of Florida's top college towns, with 35 institutions and a student population of 36,092. Public tuition averages $6,394/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Finance enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Financial Modeling and Valuation. The adjusted starting salary in Jacksonville is approximately $81,900, growing to $128,700 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
35
Public Tuition
$6,394/yr
Private Tuition
$26,965/yr
Room & Board
$10,215/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,539/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
71%
Finance Salary in Jacksonville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Jacksonville's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Finance salary: $70,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Jacksonville adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Finance ROI Calculator for Jacksonville
Estimate your return on investment for a Finance degree using local Jacksonville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,394 | Private avg: $26,965
Jacksonville avg aid: $14,539/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$66,436
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$40,950
vs HS diploma in Jacksonville
ROI Payback Period
1.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Jacksonville
$1,045,064
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,111,500) minus total education cost ($66,436)
Student Loan Payoff for Finance in Jacksonville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Jacksonville for Finance
University of North Florida
public
$6,394/yr
$25,576 total
Jacksonville University
private
$39,280/yr
$157,120 total
Edward Waters University
private
$14,650/yr
$58,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Florida State College at Jacksonville
$3,100/yr
Top Employers for Finance in Jacksonville
Jacksonville offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Finance graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Jacksonville Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Finance Job Titles
Finance in Nearby Florida Cities
Miami, FL
$69K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$71K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$67K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$68K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$55K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$69K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$62K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$68K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Business Majors in Jacksonville
Business Analytics
$91K starting · 2 yr ROI
Economics
$76K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$59K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$59K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$73K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$59K starting · 4 yr ROI
Business Administration
$68K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Finance degree outcomes in Jacksonville, FL: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Finance programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Florida.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Jacksonville using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Finance graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Finance career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Finance grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Jacksonville Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Florida students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Florida programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "florida higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Finance Degree in Jacksonville — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Finance ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Jacksonville.