Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Florida Gateway College

Florida Gateway College graduates start well below state and national benchmarks—earning $22,000 in the first year ranks in just the 25th percentile among Florida's 55 programs—but the trajectory tells a more complete story. By year four, earnings nearly double to $39,000, representing 78% growth that outpaces typical community college associate degrees. This puts graduates roughly on par with the state's better-performing programs after a few years of career development.

The $8,500 debt load matters here. It's lower than both state ($9,250) and national ($10,950) medians, creating a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio even with that challenging first-year salary. For a program serving many Pell-eligible students (38% of the college), this combination of affordable entry and strong earnings growth suggests the degree functions as intended—a stepping stone rather than a destination credential.

The gap between Florida Gateway and top performers like Saint Leo ($42,000) or University of West Florida ($31,000) is real, but those comparisons may be misleading since they include four-year institutions. Among community colleges specifically, the four-year earnings figure becomes competitive. If your student plans to transfer or gain work experience before completing a bachelor's, this pathway keeps debt minimal while providing time to clarify direction. The low initial earnings require either family support during that first year or immediate transfer to a four-year program.