Physical Science Technologies/Technicians at Santa Fe College

Similar programs across the country suggest earnings around $54,000 in the first year after completing this associate degree, paired with roughly $11,400 in debt—a manageable 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's the kind of balance that allows graduates to service their loans without major strain. For context, Florida's physical science technology programs typically see debt closer to $10,875, slightly lower than the national benchmark, which may signal good cost management at Santa Fe College despite working with estimated figures.

The challenge here is that with only four schools offering this program statewide and suppressed data due to small cohort sizes, you're making a decision with limited visibility into actual outcomes specific to Santa Fe. The national peer programs this estimate draws from span diverse geographies and industries—some serving oil and gas hubs, others supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing or environmental testing—so your child's actual trajectory will depend heavily on Gainesville's local job market and the specific technical skills Santa Fe emphasizes.

If your child has a clear path into chemistry, materials testing, or environmental science roles in North Central Florida, the modest debt and reasonable projected earnings make this worth considering. But given the estimation uncertainty, verify what companies recruit from Santa Fe's program and whether graduates actually land the technician jobs that justify this investment.