Real Estate at Palm Beach State College

With just two schools offering this undergraduate real estate certificate in Florida, Palm Beach State's program sits at the bottom, earning graduates roughly $11,000 less annually than the state median of $43,636. First-year earnings of $32,983 land below both national and state averages—Florida State College at Jacksonville's comparable program produces graduates earning $54,288, a dramatic $21,000 difference. Even nationally, this program ranks in just the 23rd percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs elsewhere prepare students for better initial earnings.

The debt picture offers modest relief: at $17,349, borrowing sits slightly above the national median but remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. For a certificate program designed to launch real estate careers quickly, however, these earnings seem underwhelming. Florida's robust real estate market typically supports higher wages, making this program's performance particularly puzzling.

For families considering this path, the central question is opportunity cost. A certificate should deliver quick entry into a field with clear earning potential, but these graduates are starting well behind their peers at other Florida institutions. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Palm Beach State—location, schedule flexibility, or plans to quickly supplement this credential with additional licensing—the data suggests looking at Florida State College at Jacksonville's program or considering whether a different entry point into real estate might serve better.