Computer and Information Sciences at Florida Career College-Boynton Beach

With only a handful of graduates tracked, these numbers offer limited insight, but they suggest a program that gets students working quickly without crushing debt loads. The $18,391 in student loans translates to roughly $200 monthly payments—manageable on a $33,900 salary, especially compared to bachelor's degree programs where debt often doubles or triples.

The catch is what happens after that initial job placement. Earnings essentially flatline between year one and year four, which is unusual in tech fields where skills and certifications typically drive steady raises. While this program performs better than half of Florida's computer science associate's programs, it still trails the national median by about $2,000 annually. That gap may not sound dramatic, but over a decade it compounds to meaningful money. The 68% Pell grant rate suggests this college serves students who need immediate workforce entry, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is reasonable for that goal.

For a student who needs a two-year tech credential to start earning immediately, this meets that basic threshold—but only if they're prepared to actively pursue additional certifications or training to avoid income stagnation. If your child can access a community college or technical program with similar outcomes and lower tuition, that would be the smarter financial choice.