Animal Sciences at Santa Fe College

Santa Fe College's Animal Sciences associate program sits in an unusual position—it ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for earnings, yet it's the *only* program of its kind in Florida, making typical state comparisons impossible. Graduates earn just $24,833 in their first year, substantially below the $32,687 national median, though earnings do climb 25% to $31,074 by year four.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $19,890, it's low enough relative to those first-year earnings (0.80 ratio) that graduates can manage payments, even if finances will be tight initially. The national debt percentile of 5th suggests this program keeps borrowing reasonable compared to similar programs elsewhere. That said, even with solid earnings growth, four-year graduates are still earning less than the national first-year median for this field.

This appears to be a gateway program—potentially serving students who plan to transfer for a bachelor's or who need credentials for entry-level animal care positions in Florida's veterinary clinics, farms, or wildlife facilities. If your student is passionate about working with animals and has a clear employment path lined up, the manageable debt makes this workable despite the low earnings. But if they're uncertain about career direction or could start with a different associate degree offering stronger immediate earnings, those alternatives deserve serious consideration. The 28% Pell grant rate suggests Santa Fe serves many price-conscious students, which makes the modest debt burden particularly important.