Management Information Systems and Services at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast's MIS program produces graduates earning $44,868 in their first year—about $15,000 less than Florida's median for this degree and well below what students earn at comparable state universities. While the program ranks in the bottom quarter of Florida MIS programs (25th percentile), the debt load is relatively modest at $21,924, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49. Still, when University of South Florida graduates in the same program earn $56,000 and Florida State graduates clear $66,000, the earnings gap is substantial enough to matter over a career.

The 14% earnings growth to $51,265 by year four suggests graduates do gain ground, but they're still starting from behind. For context, this isn't just a national comparison issue—even within Florida's MIS landscape, this program sits in the bottom quarter for starting salaries. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonably reliable data, though individual outcomes will vary.

If your child is considering this program, the real question is whether the lower tuition costs at FGCU offset the earnings disadvantage. The debt itself isn't alarming, but launching an MIS career at $45,000 rather than $55,000-plus means losing out on significant early-career earnings and compounding returns. Unless FGCU offers a substantially cheaper path than UF or FSU, stronger MIS programs in Florida deliver better financial outcomes from day one.