English Language and Literature at Florida National University-Main Campus

At $21,930 first-year earnings, this certificate program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Florida's English certificate offerings—meaning three-quarters of comparable Florida programs produce better outcomes. That gap widens when you look at the state median of $26,026, which this program underperforms by roughly $4,000 annually. For context, nearby Hodges University's English certificate graduates earn nearly $30,000 in their first year. The relatively low debt load of $6,625 helps soften the blow, but it's still above-average nationally (95th percentile), meaning most comparable programs nationwide manage to keep debt even lower despite delivering higher earnings.

The 17% earnings growth to $25,543 by year four shows some upward trajectory, though graduates remain below the state median throughout this period. Florida National serves a predominantly low-income population (84% Pell recipients), which adds important context—this certificate may represent an accessible entry point for first-generation college students. However, starting earnings below $22,000 make financial independence challenging, even with manageable debt.

For families considering this program, the question is whether a certificate that underperforms the Florida market by $4,000+ annually justifies the investment, even with modest debt. If English studies matter to your child, exploring the higher-performing certificate options within Florida would be worth the effort.