Computer Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast's computer engineering graduates start significantly behind the pack—earning $60,746 in their first year puts them in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among Florida programs. That's $18,000 less than what University of Florida grads make and $14,000 below the state median. For context, this is the lowest starting salary among all major Florida engineering schools.

The program's saving grace is impressive earnings growth: graduates jump to $96,155 by year four, a 58% increase that outpaces most peers. The debt load of $25,000 is manageable and exactly matches the state median, giving graduates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. So while students start behind, they don't carry extra debt burden while catching up.

The question is whether a slow start matters for your career trajectory. In computer engineering, first-year positions often set the foundation for advancement—lower initial salaries can mean missing out on competitive training programs or prestigious employers that launch stronger career paths. Unless there are compelling reasons to choose FGCU (location, scholarships, specific faculty), families should seriously consider how much that $18,000 starting gap matters, even if it eventually narrows.