Security Science and Technology at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

With first-year earnings of $27,693 against $23,500 in debt, graduates face nearly a full year's salary in educational loans—a concerning starting point for an associate's degree. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's security science programs, that comparison masks a harder reality: it sits in just the 5th percentile nationally, earning $5,000 less than the typical graduate from similar programs elsewhere. The debt burden is also unusually high—most security science associate's programs nationally carry only $12,000 in median debt, roughly half what Keiser charges.

The 25% earnings growth to $34,602 by year four offers some relief, but even at that level, graduates remain well below national norms. Given that 58% of students here receive Pell grants, these debt loads fall heavily on families with limited financial cushion. The moderate sample size suggests these outcomes are reasonably reliable, not statistical flukes.

For parents weighing this investment, the math is straightforward: you're paying premium tuition for below-average outcomes in a field where community colleges often deliver better value. Unless your student has compelling reasons to attend this specific institution, exploring alternatives—particularly lower-cost Florida community college options—makes more financial sense for an entry-level security credential.