Health and Medical Administrative Services at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University's graduates leave with notably manageable debt—$20,500 compared to over $42,000 at the typical Florida program—but earnings lag significantly. At $39,480 in the first year, graduates fall in the 24th percentile nationally and just the 40th percentile within Florida, where this program already underperforms the national average. That's roughly $22,000 less annually than Barry University graduates and $7,000 below the state median.

The positive story here is financial accessibility: the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage their loans, and earnings do grow 19% over four years to $46,882. However, the starting point is low enough that even with growth, these graduates aren't catching up to peers. When top Florida programs start students $20,000+ higher, the compounding effect over a career becomes substantial.

For families prioritizing affordability and debt avoidance, FAU delivers on that promise with a robust sample size backing these figures. But if maximizing earning potential matters—particularly for a household depending on this graduate's income—the numbers suggest looking at higher-performing programs in Florida, even if they mean modestly higher debt. The low starting salary, not the debt load, is the concerning variable here.