Business Administration, Management and Operations at Palm Beach State College

Palm Beach State's business associate degree comes with an estimated debt load of $14,719—manageable compared to many Florida programs where the median reaches over $20,000. Based on comparable programs across the state, first-year earnings around $39,000 suggest graduates enter the workforce at roughly the state median for this credential, which sits right at the 75th percentile nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 indicates graduates would need less than five months of gross income to cover their borrowing, a workable threshold by most standards.

What's less clear is how Palm Beach State's specific outcomes compare to peer institutions. While flagship programs like Broward College report significantly higher earnings ($50,374), those represent different institutional contexts and possibly different student populations or regional employment markets. The estimated figures here come from a pool of 18 Florida programs, meaning they capture a wide range of program quality and graduate outcomes. For a school serving 38% Pell-eligible students, the question becomes whether this program delivers competitive value within its price point, or whether nearby alternatives consistently outperform.

Given the uncertainty, examine what employers in your local market actually pay entry-level business graduates and whether Palm Beach State has established pipelines into those roles. The estimated numbers suggest this could be a reasonable investment, but you'll want evidence that this specific program translates into job placement before committing.