Business Administration, Management and Operations at Florida College

Business programs in Florida show wide variation, with this associate's degree landing in the middle range—peer programs suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, which aligns with the state median but sits well above the national benchmark of $34,000. That puts Florida College's estimated outcomes roughly on par with what other two-year business programs in the state deliver, though nowhere near what specialized institutions like Embry-Riddle achieve with their bachelor's-level business degrees.

The concern here is debt. At an estimated $32,652, borrowing costs considerably exceed both the state median ($20,063) and especially the national median ($13,980) for similar programs. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84—higher than you'd want for an associate's degree that typically serves as either workforce entry or a stepping stone to further education. Community colleges in Florida like Broward and St. Petersburg produce similar or better earnings outcomes while presumably requiring less borrowing.

For parents evaluating this investment, the key question is whether Florida College's environment—smaller classes, potentially more support—justifies the premium over less expensive alternatives. If your child plans to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, starting with lower debt matters tremendously. If they're entering the workforce directly, that $33,000 debt load will take several years of disciplined repayment on a $39,000 salary.