Median Earnings (1yr)
$20,774
25th percentile (60th in FL)
Median Debt
$9,500
At national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.46
Manageable
Sample Size
459
Adequate data

Analysis

Florida Career College-West Palm Beach's business operations certificate delivers exactly what Florida students should expect from this type of program—but falls short of national standards. At $20,774 in first-year earnings, graduates match the Florida median for this field while earning about $4,300 less than the national average. Among Florida's 58 programs in this area, this ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it performs better than most in-state options.

The financial picture is manageable, with $9,500 in median debt creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46—meaning graduates typically owe less than half their first year's salary. This debt level matches both state and national medians for the field, suggesting reasonable program costs. With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, the college clearly serves students who need affordable pathways to employment.

The key tradeoff here is geography versus earning potential. While this program underperforms nationally (25th percentile), it's competitive within Florida's market for business support roles. For families prioritizing quick entry into the workforce with manageable debt, this certificate accomplishes that goal. However, parents should understand their child will likely earn less than peers who complete similar programs in other states, reflecting Florida's generally lower wage structure for administrative support positions.

Where Florida Career College-West Palm Beach Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business operations support and assistant services certificate's programs nationally

Florida Career College-West Palm BeachOther business operations support and assistant services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How Florida Career College-West Palm Beach graduates compare to all programs nationally

Florida Career College-West Palm Beach graduates earn $21k, placing them in the 25th percentile of all business operations support and assistant services certificate programs nationally.

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (58 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Florida Career College-West Palm Beach$20,774$9,5000.46
Rasmussen University-Florida$32,345$33,600$16,7220.52
Florida Career College-Pembroke Pines$20,774$9,5000.46
Florida Career College-Hialeah$20,774$9,5000.46
Florida Career College-Lauderdale Lakes$20,774$9,5000.46
Florida Career College-Tampa$20,774$9,5000.46
National Median$25,094$9,5000.38

Other Business Operations Support and Assistant Services Programs in Florida

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Rasmussen University-Florida
Ocala
$15,117$32,345$16,722
Florida Career College-Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines
$20,774$9,500
Florida Career College-Hialeah
Hialeah
$20,774$9,500
Florida Career College-Lauderdale Lakes
Lauderdale Lakes
$20,774$9,500
Florida Career College-Tampa
Tampa
$20,774$9,500

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Florida Career College-West Palm Beach, approximately 68% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 459 graduates with reported earnings and 586 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.