Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

Keiser University's liberal arts associate's program stands out for its earnings trajectory rather than its starting point. While graduates begin at $28,122—just slightly above Florida's median—they see their income jump 27% to nearly $36,000 within four years. Among Florida's 55 liberal arts programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms most community college alternatives.

The challenge is the debt load. At $26,620, graduates carry nearly three times the state median and more than double the national average for this degree. That's almost a full year's starting salary, which means students are essentially financing modest early-career earnings with substantial loans. Compare this to Hillborough Community College graduates who earn similar amounts but with far less debt, or Saint Leo University students who start at $42,000—making higher debt more manageable.

For families considering this program, the question boils down to whether the strong income growth justifies the premium debt. The student body is predominantly lower-income (58% receive Pell grants), and the near-universal admission rate suggests Keiser serves students who may have limited options. If your child has access to Florida's public community colleges, those offer comparable outcomes at a fraction of the cost. This program might make sense only if scheduling flexibility or location constraints make traditional community colleges impractical.