Business Administration, Management and Operations at Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech's business program commands premium tuition—graduates carry $38,097 in debt, 68% above the Florida median—but the unusual earnings trajectory demands scrutiny. First-year graduates earn an impressive $63,708, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile statewide. That's $18,636 above Florida's median for business programs and strong enough to justify a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio initially. However, by year four, median earnings drop to $58,663, an 8% decline that flips the value equation.

This earnings dip is particularly concerning given the debt load. While graduates start with higher-than-average earnings that could accelerate debt repayment, the downward trend suggests either job instability or a concentration in industries with unpredictable compensation. The moderate sample size means a few outliers could skew results, but the pattern is clear enough to warrant attention. Compare this to Florida's median business graduate who carries $15,472 less debt and sees more stable career progression.

If your child can graduate with minimal loans—perhaps through scholarships at this moderately selective school—the strong starting salary makes sense. But families planning to borrow the full $38,097 should understand they're betting on maintaining that impressive first-year performance, which the data suggests isn't guaranteed.