Business Administration, Management and Operations at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast's business program illustrates a crucial distinction parents often miss: starting salary isn't destiny. Yes, that $38,660 first-year number sits at just the 20th percentile nationally and below the state's $45,072 median. But by year four, graduates reach $54,503—a 41% jump that outpaces most business programs and lands solidly above both state and national medians.

The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $20,356, graduates carry about $6,000 less than Florida's typical business major and nearly $2,000 below the national median. Combined with that strong earnings trajectory, this means manageable monthly payments while income grows rapidly. The 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, based on that lower first-year figure, still beats many programs where graduates start higher but carry heavier debt loads.

This is a middle-tier admission school (77% acceptance rate) delivering above-average outcomes for students willing to weather a modest start. The real question is whether your child can handle those early years at below-market pay—perhaps living at home or taking a roommate situation—while building experience that clearly pays off by year four. For families prioritizing affordable debt over prestige, this trajectory makes sense.