Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Daytona State College

The debt burden here looks manageable. Based on comparable IT management programs at similar Florida colleges, graduates likely carry around $15,000 in debt against first-year earnings near $46,000—a ratio that should allow comfortable repayment. This puts Daytona State's program in line with other mid-tier community college tech programs in the state, though notably below what graduates from St. Petersburg College or Florida State College at Jacksonville typically earn.

What's harder to assess is trajectory. The actual four-year earnings figure of $47,826 suggests minimal wage growth in those early years, which is puzzling for tech roles that usually see steady advancement. This could reflect the nature of associate-level IT positions in the Daytona Beach market, or it might indicate graduates are landing in help desk or support roles rather than administration and management positions. The gap between this program and Florida's top performers—some grads earn $60,000-plus right out of the gate—raises questions about whether the curriculum or local employer connections match what higher-earning programs offer.

For families evaluating this program, the fundamental economics work: low debt, decent starting pay. But with limited actual graduate data available, you're making this decision somewhat blind. If your student is considering this route, they should talk directly with recent graduates about job placement and compare what Daytona State's specific program offers versus nearby alternatives like Valencia or Florida State College at Jacksonville.