Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Eastern Florida State College

The small sample size here is a real concern, but the available numbers suggest Eastern Florida State College's Allied Health program underperforms even modest expectations. First-year earnings of $29,665 fall roughly $4,500 below the Florida median and $7,200 below the national benchmark—placing graduates in the bottom fifth nationally. In a state where similar programs at schools like Santa Fe College and St Petersburg College produce graduates earning $41,000-$43,000 annually, this program sits well below the middle of the pack.

The relatively modest debt load of $14,000—about half what's typical for Florida allied health programs—does create a more manageable financial picture than the earnings alone suggest. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under six months of gross income, which is reasonable by community college standards. However, that calculation matters less when the underlying earnings are this low; even manageable debt feels heavy on a $30,000 salary.

For parents considering this program, the math is straightforward: their child would likely earn less in allied health from Eastern Florida State than from dozens of other Florida options, though they'd also borrow less. If this is the only accessible program, the debt burden won't be crushing. But if other Florida community colleges are within reach, the earnings gap—potentially $10,000+ annually compared to top programs—would quickly dwarf any upfront savings.