Business Administration, Management and Operations at College of Central Florida

College of Central Florida's associate degree in business administration produces concerning outcomes, particularly when measured against other Florida options. First-year earnings of $32,665 fall well below the state median of $39,010, placing graduates in just the 25th percentile among Florida's 59 business administration programs. This means three-quarters of similar programs in the state deliver better starting salaries—a significant gap when many students attend community college precisely to stay in-state and save money.

The earnings trajectory adds another red flag: graduates actually earn less four years out ($30,562) than they did initially, a 6% decline that runs counter to typical career progression. While the debt load of $15,228 is modest—actually below the state median—it still represents nearly half a year's starting salary, which becomes harder to justify when earnings stagnate or decline. For context, graduates from nearby St. Petersburg College earn 46% more in their first year with similar debt burdens, while Broward College graduates command 54% higher starting salaries.

These numbers come from a small sample size (under 30 graduates), so they may not fully represent typical outcomes. Still, the pattern is stark enough to warrant serious consideration of alternatives within Florida's community college system, where several institutions deliver substantially stronger returns on a similar investment.