Communications Technology/Technician at Full Sail University

Full Sail's Communications Technology associate's degree produces first-year earnings of just $14,274—barely above minimum wage and less than half the national median of $25,754 for this program. While graduates carry $19,500 in debt, the immediate concern isn't the debt level itself but the impossibly low earnings. At this income level, even modest loan payments would consume an unsustainable portion of take-home pay. The 5th percentile national earnings ranking tells the real story: nearly every comparable program in the country delivers better outcomes.

The state context here is misleading. Full Sail appears to be the only school in Florida offering this specific associate's program, which explains the 60th percentile state ranking—there's no meaningful comparison. The national data is what matters, and it shows graduates earning roughly $11,500 less than their peers elsewhere. Given that 57% of students receive Pell grants, many families here are taking on debt they can ill afford for earnings that fall well short of self-sufficiency.

Unless this program serves as a stepping stone to additional credentials at Full Sail (where it might make logistical sense), parents should look elsewhere. Even community college programs in related technical fields typically deliver first-year earnings double what graduates see here. The combination of below-poverty wages and nearly $20,000 in debt creates an untenable financial starting point.