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Colleges in and near Pensacola

Pensacola is home to two colleges, with 6,918 students on campus

Pensacola State College (6,261 students on campus) and Fortis Institute-Pensacola (657) are inside the city. About 4% of Pensacola’s residents are enrolled in college, below Florida (6%).

Pensacola 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 Pensacola. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
14,212 students on campus
Nearest college
2.7 mi
Pensacola State College
Residents in college
4%
Below FL (6%)
Nearest community college
89 mi
Gulf Coast State College · $2,370 tuition
Nearest public university
2.7 mi
Pensacola State College · $2,361 in-state
Median household income
$74K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Pensacola

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

A college in PensacolaPensacola State College has 6,261 students on campus in Pensacola, 36% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Pensacola State CollegeLiving in Florida, Pensacola State College charges $2,361 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,460. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 89 miles awayGulf Coast State College in Panama City: tuition and fees $2,370 a year for Florida residents.Students are 4% of residentsBelow Florida (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Pensacola

One private college within 4.8 miles, and two public colleges within 7.6 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of West FloridaPensacola State CollegeFortis Institute-PensacolaPensacola
University or collegeCommunity college
Pensacola State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 6,261 on campus · In Pensacola$4knet price36%graduate$37kearningsFortis Institute-PensacolaUniversity or college · For-profit · 657 on campus · In Pensacola$28knet price54%graduate$27kearningsEarnings are reported for all 3 campuses that file with it.University of West FloridaUniversity or college · Public · 7,294 on campus · 7.6 mi · Pensacola58%admitted$9knet price59%graduate$49kearnings

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 Pensacola’s median household income ($74,212) falls.

University of West Florida7.6 mi · Pensacola · sticker $19,947$8,077a year
Pensacola State CollegeIn Pensacola · sticker $11,894$10,678a year
Fortis Institute-PensacolaIn Pensacola · sticker $35,294$28,172a 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 Pensacola: 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 →Pensacola State CollegeFortis Institute-PensacolaUniversity of West Florida
University of West Florida59% graduate$49k earnings$17k typical debt
Pensacola State College36% graduate$37k earnings$8k typical debt
Fortis Institute-Pensacola54% graduate$27k earnings*$10k 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: Fortis Institute-Pensacola (3).

Majors

What students study in Pensacola

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

Liberal arts 33%Health professions 25%Business 11%Personal & culinary services 9%Computer science 8%Transportation 3%Everything else 10%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsPensacola State College · 143 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingPensacola State College · 50 graduates a year
$83k4 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 Pensacola

Is Pensacola a college town?

No. About 4 of every 100 Pensacola residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Florida (6). The largest campus in the city, Pensacola State College, has 6,261 students on campus.

What colleges are in Pensacola?

Pensacola State College and Fortis Institute-Pensacola are inside the city. Gulf Coast State College is 89 miles away in Panama City.

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

Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, 89 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,370 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $4,709, counts housing and food at full cost.

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

Tuition and fees are $2,361 a year in-state and $9,460 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $3,533 (under $30,000 income) to $11,594 (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 Pensacola. 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 →