International Business at Rollins College

At $36,201 one year out, Rollins' International Business graduates earn about $13,000 less than Florida's median for this program and rank in just the 5th percentile nationally. That's a rough start for a program at a selective private college with average SAT scores above 1300. The $25,000 median debt sits above Florida's typical $17,500 for this major, though the 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable if those early years don't derail career momentum.

The silver lining here is genuine: earnings jump 58% by year four, reaching $57,017—essentially catching up to the national 75th percentile. This suggests Rollins graduates who weather the lean early years eventually land solid positions, likely through the college's network and alumni connections in Central Florida's business community. However, this pattern means students need financial cushion for those first years when rent and loan payments compete with below-market salaries.

The question is whether a family should pay private school tuition when state options like University of North Florida produce $49,000+ starting salaries—$13,000 more right out of the gate. If your child has strong merit aid bringing costs down significantly, and your family can support them through the early career phase, Rollins' eventual outcomes justify the investment. Without substantial financial aid, though, the delayed payoff makes this a tough sell compared to Florida's public alternatives.