Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Full Sail University

Full Sail's associate degree in Writing Studies leaves graduates earning $28,090 in their first year while carrying nearly $35,000 in debt—a troubling 1.24 debt-to-earnings ratio that means graduates owe more than they'll earn in over a year. While this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Florida's writing programs, that's misleading context: Full Sail is the only school in Florida reporting data for this associate degree, making it both the best and worst option in the state by default. Nationally, it ranks in the bottom 5% for earnings and debt levels, with graduates earning about $2,700 less than the national median while carrying nearly $10,000 more debt.

The numbers here create a significant financial burden for a program serving a majority low-income population (57% receive Pell grants). At these earnings levels, the standard 10-year federal loan repayment would consume roughly 15% of gross income—an unsustainable burden that could force graduates into extended repayment plans or forbearance. For comparison, the national median debt for this degree is $25,250, suggesting students could find better value elsewhere.

For parents considering this program, the math is stark: you're looking at above-average debt paired with below-average earnings in a field that doesn't typically require an associate degree. Unless your child has specific circumstances making Full Sail uniquely valuable, exploring community college alternatives or skipping the associate degree entirely would likely lead to better financial outcomes.