Biology at Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville's biology program shows a troubling start with first-year earnings of just $25,912—well below both the Florida median ($27,034) and national average ($32,316). However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically with more data. What's particularly concerning is that even Florida's community colleges like St. Petersburg and Miami Dade report graduates earning $35,000-$38,000, suggesting something may be off about this dataset or this cohort faced unusual circumstances.

The 73% earnings jump to $44,884 by year four is notable, but it's unclear whether this reflects typical career progression or just the volatility of a small sample. The $19,443 in debt is actually lower than state and national averages, which provides some cushion. At 40th percentile within Florida, this program sits squarely in the middle of state offerings—not great, not terrible.

For parents, the core issue is uncertainty. With so few graduates tracked, you're essentially betting that your child's experience will differ from this limited data. If these numbers hold true, your child would start significantly behind peers from similar Florida programs. Given the many biology programs across Florida's 38 schools, it's worth comparing outcomes at nearby alternatives before committing here. The lower debt helps, but it doesn't compensate for earnings that lag comparable programs by $7,000-$12,000 annually.