Business Administration, Management and Operations at Flagler College

Flagler College's business program produces graduates who earn below-average starting salaries but show promising momentum. First-year earnings of $39,781 trail both the Florida median ($45,072) and national median ($45,703) by roughly $5,000, placing graduates in the bottom quarter nationally. However, the 25% earnings jump to nearly $50,000 by year four suggests graduates gain traction once they establish themselves in the workforce. The debt load of $26,677 is slightly above Florida's typical $22,625 but remains manageable at 67% of first-year earnings.

The real question is whether that initial earnings gap closes enough to justify the investment. At the 40th percentile among Florida business programs, Flagler sits firmly in the middle of the pack statewide—not concerning, but nowhere near the $64,000+ first-year salaries that top Florida programs like Embry-Riddle or Florida Tech deliver. The college's 78% admission rate and modest test scores suggest students aren't arriving with elite credentials, which may explain the slower start.

For parents, this comes down to expectations and alternatives. If your child has options at higher-ranked Florida business programs, the earnings data suggests pursuing them. But if Flagler offers a compelling campus experience or scholarship package, the manageable debt and solid earnings growth mean it's not a financial trap—just understand you're paying for four years of college to reach a salary many programs deliver immediately after graduation.