Information Science/Studies at Florida Institute of Technology

An associate's degree in Information Science at Florida Tech comes with $26,875 in debt—more than double the national median of $13,300 for this field. That's an unusually heavy burden for a two-year program, especially when first-year earnings from comparable programs nationwide suggest starting around $38,900. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means graduates would need to dedicate roughly seven months of gross income just to cover their education debt, which creates real pressure on a budget already stretched by entry-level pay.

The high debt likely reflects Florida Tech's private institution pricing. While the school serves primarily traditional students (only 20% receive Pell grants), that pricing model hits particularly hard at the associate's level, where students typically choose this credential precisely to minimize costs while gaining technical skills. Nationally, Information Science associate's programs vary widely in value, with top performers placing graduates in $44,000+ roles—but those outcomes usually don't require students to shoulder twice the typical debt load.

For families weighing this option, the limited data creates genuine uncertainty about whether Florida Tech's specific program justifies its premium pricing. If comparable community college programs in Florida or nearby states can deliver similar technical training at half the cost, that becomes the more conservative path. Without clearer evidence of superior outcomes, the financial math here favors cheaper alternatives.