Public Health at Florida National University-Main Campus

Florida National University's Public Health associate's program posts strong initial earnings of $37,183—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and well above Florida's median of $30,191. That's impressive positioning for a two-year degree serving a predominantly low-income student population (84% receive Pell grants). The $26,585 in debt is higher than typical for this program but still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71, meaning graduates earn more than their total debt in their first year.

The challenge emerges over time: earnings drop to $34,161 by year four, an 8% decline that's unusual for any degree program. This downward trajectory suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling in entry-level public health roles that typically require bachelor's degrees for advancement. Even with this decline, however, earnings remain competitive with other Florida programs in this field—most cluster around $30,000 with little variation.

For students planning to stop at an associate's degree, this program delivers solid immediate earning power that justifies the debt load. But parents should understand this is likely a stepping stone credential. The earnings pattern strongly suggests graduates will need to pursue a bachelor's degree to maintain career momentum, so factor in the cost of additional education when evaluating total investment.