Public Health at Florida Career College-Jacksonville

Florida Career College-Jacksonville's Associate's in Public Health sits right at the state median for earnings—$30,191 in the first year—but that 60th percentile ranking among Florida programs is somewhat misleading. The top-performing schools in the state (Florida National and Keiser) see graduates earning $6,000-7,000 more annually, a significant gap that doesn't close over time. More concerning, earnings essentially flatline between year one and year four, suggesting limited career progression from this degree. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on meaningful income growth that doesn't materialize.

The $20,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is average for this field. However, "manageable" depends on whether $30,000 annually—roughly $15/hour full-time—meets your family's expectations for an associate's degree investment. This earnings level puts graduates just above retail management but well below what many healthcare-adjacent roles offer in Jacksonville's market.

The bottom line: This program delivers the degree at typical cost, but positions graduates at the lower end of Florida's public health outcomes. If your child is set on this field, the data suggests looking at Keiser or Florida National, where the higher first-year earnings could offset any additional program costs within two years.