Business Administration, Management and Operations at Eastern Florida State College

Eastern Florida State College's business management program starts graduates around $43,000—slightly below both state and national medians—but the real concern is where earnings head from there. While most business graduates see steady income growth in their first years of work, these graduates actually earn **less** four years out than they did fresh from school, dropping to under $40,000. Among Florida's 93 business programs, this lands squarely in the middle for starting pay, but that earnings trajectory deserves attention.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $22,000, graduates borrow less than typical business majors both nationally and statewide. That lower debt load means the program remains financially manageable despite modest earnings—your child would need to dedicate roughly half their first-year salary to debt, compared to 57% at the typical program. With 28% of students receiving Pell grants, the college clearly serves price-conscious families, and the relatively light debt burden reflects that focus.

The bottom line: this program won't position graduates for the $64,000+ starting salaries that Florida's top business schools deliver, and the backwards earnings trend raises questions about career progression. However, if keeping undergraduate debt minimal is a priority and your child plans to leverage the degree as a stepping stone—perhaps for an MBA or career pivot—the low-debt entry point makes this a defensible choice. Just know they'll likely need additional credentials or strategic job moves to reach typical business graduate earnings.