Ocean Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech's ocean engineering program costs about what you'd expect to pay for a specialized STEM degree ($27,000 in debt), but graduates earn slightly below the national median at $68,475—though small sample size makes these figures less reliable. With only seven schools nationwide offering ocean engineering bachelor's degrees, this is an inherently rare specialization, and Florida Tech lands in the middle of the pack. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 is manageable, meaning graduates typically earn enough to handle their loans without excessive burden.

The more encouraging story emerges when comparing within Florida: this program outperforms the state median and the only other in-state option (Florida Atlantic). If your child is set on ocean engineering and wants to stay in Florida, this is the stronger choice. The admission profile—63% acceptance rate with an average SAT of 1213—suggests reasonably accessible entry into a niche field, though the low Pell grant percentage (20%) hints at limited financial aid for middle and lower-income families.

The real question is whether ocean engineering itself makes sense as a career path. With fewer than 30 recent graduates, you're looking at a very small field with limited data. If your child is passionate about marine technology and coastal infrastructure, the specialized training could open doors in a less crowded market. But if they're exploring engineering options more broadly, Florida Tech's mechanical or aerospace programs might offer similar rigor with more established career pathways and larger alumni networks.