Analysis
Florida Institute of Technology's online accounting program charges significantly more in debt than most alternatives while delivering below-average earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $42,124βnearly double the Florida median and substantially higher than 95% of accounting programs nationally. That debt load yields first-year earnings around $49,000, which places graduates in the 40th percentile among Florida accounting programs and the 29th percentile nationally. For context, University of Florida accounting grads earn $65,000, and even mid-tier state options like UCF deliver $55,000.
The most concerning pattern here is stagnation: earnings essentially flatline between year one and year four, showing no meaningful growth. Combined with the elevated debt burden, the 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates will spend years working through this loan balance while peers from other programs enjoy both higher starting salaries and lighter debt loads. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families who can least afford prolonged debt repayment.
For an anxious parent, the math is straightforward: your child would pay premium prices (in debt) for bottom-third outcomes. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances requiring online-only delivery, Florida's public universities offer substantially better valueβlower debt, higher earnings, and stronger job market positioning. The convenience of online learning here comes at a steep financial cost that traditional programs don't impose.
Where Florida Institute of Technology-Online Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all accounting bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Florida Institute of Technology-Online graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Institute of Technology-Online | $48,888 | $48,986 | +0% |
| University of Florida | $65,144 | $75,355 | +16% |
| Florida State University | $55,626 | $74,193 | +33% |
| The University of Tampa | $52,690 | $71,151 | +35% |
| Florida International University | $54,963 | $68,602 | +25% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Accounting bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (42 total in state)
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12,240 | $48,888 | $48,986 | $42,124 | 0.86 | |
| $6,381 | $65,144 | $75,355 | $18,003 | 0.28 | |
| $6,389 | $58,514 | $66,355 | $22,615 | 0.39 | |
| $4,879 | $56,600 | $60,630 | $19,431 | 0.34 | |
| $5,656 | $55,626 | $74,193 | $18,625 | 0.33 | |
| $6,368 | $55,203 | $68,209 | $19,736 | 0.36 | |
| National Median | β | $53,694 | β | $25,000 | 0.47 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates
Financial Managers
Treasurers and Controllers
Investment Fund Managers
Financial and Investment Analysts
Financial Risk Specialists
Financial Examiners
Budget Analysts
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Accountants and Auditors
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Florida Institute of Technology-Online, approximately 49% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 39 graduates with reported earnings and 50 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.