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While the cost of many goods and services has risen across the country, a degree or workforce certificate from Pensacola State College remains one of the most budget-friendly options available in higher education. PSC has been ranked on the National Center for Education Statistics’ 2026 College Affordability and Transparency Lists as one of the most affordable public colleges in the nation.
PSC ranks 42nd among 805 four-year public institutions for low-cost tuition and fees and has the nation’s 54th-lowest net price.
With annual tuition and fees averaging $2,361 during the 2024-25 academic year, PSC reported the second-lowest cost among Florida’s four-year public colleges and universities, trailing only Tallahassee State College. PSC was also one of only six four-year public institutions in Florida to reduce tuition and fees, maintaining affordability with a 0.2% decrease.
Also published in the 2026 report, the net price of attending PSC during the 2024-25 academic year was $5,376, representing the average annual price paid by first-time, full-time undergraduate students after deducting grant and scholarship aid. This amount includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and the weighted average costs for room and board and other expenses.
By comparison, the published average cost of tuition and fees among 41 four-year public institutions in Florida is $3,808, and the average net price is $9,006. The national average cost of tuition and fees among four-year public institutions is $8,840, and the average net price is $13,289.
The report also highlights PSC’s commitment to helping students access higher education through financial assistance. Among the 976 full-time, first-time undergraduate students enrolled during the 2024-25 academic year, 77% received some form of financial aid totaling more than $5.6 million and averaging $7,519 per student.
“Nearly four out of five PSC students who enroll in a degree or workforce certificate program have financial assistance in the form of a scholarship or grant,” said PSC Associate Vice President, Institutional Research and Enterprise Solutions Michael Johnston. “We are helping make college more attainable for hundreds of students each year, and that has a huge effect on the local economy and makes a significant difference for families in our community.”
College staff play a key role in helping students secure the money they need to attend college.
In recent years, PSC’s Department of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services has evolved from primarily helping students navigate the financial aid application process to providing more personalized counseling and support. Upgrades to the college’s administrative software systems have enhanced advising services by allowing advisors to spend more time evaluating each student’s unique circumstances and connecting them with available grants, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance.
“Pensacola State is known for providing a quality education at an affordable price. A lot of effort goes into keeping it that way,” said PSC Director, Financial Aid, Kristi Eidson. “We’re here to make sure no one is turned away from pursuing their education at Pensacola State College because of an inability to pay.”
State legislation and the region’s relatively low cost of living also help keep PSC affordable for students.
“We’re fortunate in Florida because the state is generous in terms of tuition assistance, particularly for students enrolled in workforce development programs and those transitioning from military service,” said Johnston. “Plus, the cost of living in Northwest Florida is lower than in many other parts of the country and even within Florida, so that positively affects the net price of attending Pensacola State.”
Many PSC students benefit from federal and state financial aid programs, including initiatives designed to help workforce students begin or continue their educational journeys and programs that help veterans transition from the military to college and careers.
PSC was recently approved to participate in the federal Ability to Benefit program, which provides an opportunity for students without a high school diploma to begin an eligible workforce training program while working toward earning a GED.
The following PSC programs, designated as Eligible Career Pathway Programs, are approved for students who qualify for Ability to Benefit: Welding Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Electricity, HVAC, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Plumbing and Practical Nursing. When applicable, students enrolled in these programs under Ability to Benefit receive federal and state financial aid to help offset educational costs.
“The financial aid that comes through Pensacola State changes lives for the better and helps fuel the economy in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said PSC President Ed Meadows. “When a student has financial assistance to help pay for tuition and books, they can continue to pay rent and buy groceries for their families while focusing on their studies. Many of these graduates will stay and join the workforce in our area.”
During the reporting year of 2024-25, PSC disbursed more than $1.4 million in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and more than $57,000 in Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program funds to military-connected undergraduate students.
“Supporting those who have served our country is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Johnston. “We are committed to helping veterans and active-duty service members earn their education with little to no out-of-pocket cost whenever possible. Every dollar matters, which is why departments across the college work together to connect students with the resources and support they need.”
Part of the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences, the National Center for Education Statistics is the primary federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and publishing data on education. Its 2026 College Affordability and Transparency Lists report includes tuition and required fees for full-time, first-time undergraduate students seeking a degree or certificate during the 2024-25 academic year. Average net price figures are based on the same student group for 2023-24.
The report shows that PSC, classified as a public four-year institution for reporting purposes, continues to provide exceptional value for students seeking a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or workforce certificate.
The annual College Affordability and Transparency Center Lists are published online at collegecost.ed.gov. The 2026 report is based on data from the 2024-25 collection cycle through mandatory federal reporting surveys.
For more information about admissions, financial aid and registration at PSC, visit pensacolastate.edu or call 850-484-2000.