Accounting at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

At $48,117 starting out, Keiser's accounting program lands graduates well above what most associate degree holders in this field earn—95th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Florida's 40 programs. That's real money for a two-year degree. The catch? You're paying premium tuition for that premium outcome. At $29,000 in debt versus a national median of $19,354, graduates carry about 50% more debt than typical accounting associates. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, most graduates should be able to manage payments without excessive strain—you're borrowing roughly seven months of your starting salary, not two years' worth.

The bigger concern is where earnings go from there. Four years out, median pay actually drops to $43,871, suggesting either high turnover or graduates pivoting to different roles. This isn't unusual for associate degrees where some students use them as stepping stones, but it does mean the strong starting salary may not reflect long-term trajectory. For comparison, Florida National's grads start at $41,019, and several state colleges get students into the field with far less debt, even if initial earnings are slightly lower.

If your child plans to work immediately and values Keiser's career placement support, the premium makes sense—you're paying extra for stronger initial outcomes. Just understand you're financing a launch pad, not necessarily a long-term earnings advantage. The numbers work, but barely justify the extra cost unless job placement speed really matters.