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MelbourneFLCLMPhoto: Excel23, Michael Seeley from Melbourne, FL, United States · CC BY 2.0
Colleges in and near Melbourne

Melbourne is home to two colleges, with about 14,000 students on campus

Eastern Florida State College (9,038 students on campus) and Florida Institute of Technology (4,971) are inside the city. About 8% of Melbourne’s residents are enrolled in college, above Florida (6%).

Florida Institute of TechnologyEastern Florida State College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Melbourne. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
14,009 students on campus
Nearest college
3.9 mi
Florida Institute of Technology
Residents in college
8%
Above FL (6%)
Nearest community college
56.4 mi
Valencia College · $2,664 tuition
Nearest public university
4.1 mi
Eastern Florida State College · $2,496 in-state
Median household income
$67K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Melbourne

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.1 milesFlorida Institute of Technology admits 58% of applicants. Together they have 14,009 students on campus.In-state price at Eastern Florida State CollegeLiving in Florida, Eastern Florida State College charges $2,496 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,739. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 56.4 miles awayValencia College in Orlando: tuition and fees $2,664 a year for Florida residents.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Florida (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Melbourne

One private college within 3.9 miles, and one public college within 4.1 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miEastern Florida State CollegeFlorida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne
University or collegeCommunity college
Florida Institute of TechnologyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 4,971 on campus · In Melbourne58%admitted$36knet price64%graduate$43kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Eastern Florida State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 9,038 on campus · In Melbourne$6knet price52%graduate$37kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Melbourne’s median household income ($66,991) falls.

Eastern Florida State CollegeIn Melbourne · sticker $11,966$7,600a year
Florida Institute of TechnologyIn Melbourne · sticker $62,440$31,311a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Melbourne: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Florida Institute of TechnologyEastern Florida State College
Eastern Florida State College52% graduate$37k earnings$12k typical debt
Florida Institute of Technology64% graduate$43k earnings*$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Florida Institute of Technology (2).

Majors

What students study in Melbourne

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Melbourne’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 31%Business 14%Health professions 13%Computer science 8%Engineering 8%Transportation 5%Everything else 22%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsEastern Florida State College · 362 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Information Science/StudiesEastern Florida State College · 110 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Air TransportationFlorida Institute of Technology · 90 graduates a year
$83k4 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringFlorida Institute of Technology · 81 graduates a year
$97k4 yrs out
Mechanical EngineeringFlorida Institute of Technology · 57 graduates a year
$93k4 yrs out
Public HealthEastern Florida State College · 44 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Computer ScienceFlorida Institute of Technology · 38 graduates a year
$92k4 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringFlorida Institute of Technology · 29 graduates a year
$99k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Melbourne

Is Melbourne a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Melbourne residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Florida (6). The largest campus in the city, Eastern Florida State College, has 9,038 students on campus.

What colleges are in Melbourne?

Eastern Florida State College and Florida Institute of Technology are inside the city. Valencia College is 56.4 miles away in Orlando.

What is the closest community college to Melbourne, and what does it cost?

Valencia College in Orlando, 56.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,664 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $12,037, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Eastern Florida State College cost if we live in Florida?

Tuition and fees are $2,496 a year in-state and $9,739 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $4,858 (under $30,000 income) to $11,623 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Melbourne. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →