Computer and Information Sciences at Florida Career College-Margate

Florida Career College-Margate's tech program hits exactly the state median for earnings ($33,899), which sounds unremarkable until you realize this puts it at the 60th percentile among Florida schools—better than most alternatives. The catch? These wages barely clear $34,000 and show zero growth over four years, placing graduates in the bottom quarter nationally. The debt load of $18,391 isn't crushing relative to earnings (just over half a year's salary), but you're paying community college tuition for wages that many Florida tech programs deliver.

The flat earnings trajectory is the real concern here. While some associate degree holders see income gains as they add certifications or move into specialized roles, this program's graduates appear stuck at their starting salary four years out. Combined with below-average national earnings, this suggests limited advancement opportunities or a curriculum that doesn't translate to higher-paying tech positions.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift with more data, but the pattern is clear enough: this program serves a predominantly low-income student body (69% receive Pell grants) and delivers exactly middle-of-the-pack results for Florida. If your child needs an IT credential quickly and can keep debt around $18,000, this works as a modest entry point—just don't expect the earnings growth that typically makes tech education worthwhile.