Business Administration, Management and Operations at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

With almost $31,000 in debt for an associate's degree, Keiser's business program carries more than double the national median debt load for this credential—and the earnings don't justify it. While first-year earnings of $34,611 barely edge out the national median, they fall significantly short of what other Florida programs deliver. The typical Florida graduate in this field earns $39,010, placing Keiser in the 40th percentile statewide. Nearby community colleges like Broward and St. Petersburg deliver substantially better outcomes, with graduates earning $47,000-$50,000 while accumulating far less debt.

The program does show 26% earnings growth to $43,582 by year four, but this progression still leaves graduates well behind peers from other Florida schools. Most troubling is the debt burden: at 90% of first-year earnings, it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more manageable debt. For a family considering this investment, the math is straightforward: you're paying premium private-school prices for outcomes that trail state community colleges by $10,000+ annually.

The caveat: these numbers come from a small graduating class, so individual results may vary more than usual. Still, the fundamental challenge remains—the debt-to-value equation here doesn't compete with more affordable Florida alternatives that deliver stronger earnings from day one.