Accounting at Florida National University-Main Campus

Florida National University's associate accounting program produces surprisingly strong outcomes for a school serving predominantly low-income students. With first-year earnings of $41,019, graduates here actually out-earn those from Valencia College and Broward College—two much larger state institutions—while carrying just slightly more debt than the Florida median.

The program sits comfortably in the 60th percentile among Florida's 40 accounting programs, placing it in the better half despite serving a population where 84% of students receive Pell grants. That $41,019 starting salary exceeds both the national and state medians, and the 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly seven months of salary—manageable territory for an associate degree that typically launches careers faster than bachelor's programs.

The main caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can skew results more than at larger programs. But the fundamentals look solid for students seeking quick entry into accounting work. For families in the Hialeah area where traditional four-year options might be cost-prohibitive or time-intensive, this program offers a reasonable path to middle-income work without overwhelming debt.