Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Saint Johns River State College

Based on comparable networking programs in Florida, this associate's degree appears positioned right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $37,680—roughly $5,600 below what similar programs produce nationally. That gap matters when you're evaluating whether a two-year technical credential will launch a career or leave your child scrambling for advancement.

The estimated debt load of $15,832 works in this program's favor, running about $12,500 below Florida's typical debt burden for these degrees and nearly $6,000 under the national median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.42, graduates from peer programs typically manage their loans within half a year's salary—a reasonable threshold for technical credentials. The challenge is that networking jobs in Florida's competitive IT market may favor candidates from programs with stronger industry partnerships or placement records, and Saint Johns River's suppressed data makes it impossible to verify how their specific graduates fare.

For families weighing this option, the core question is whether the cost savings justify potential earnings that lag behind stronger Florida programs by $6,000 to $7,000 annually. If your child has admission offers from schools with documented outcomes—particularly those approaching $44,000 in first-year earnings—that premium might compound significantly over a career. Without knowing Saint Johns River's actual graduate outcomes, you're betting on a program that could match peers or underperform them.