Business Administration, Management and Operations at Seminole State College of Florida

The earnings trajectory here raises a red flag that outweighs the program's other strengths. While graduates start strong—earning $39,151 in their first year, above both national and Florida medians—by year four they're making just $29,463, a 25% drop. Though the sample size is small (under 30 graduates), this pattern suggests graduates may be landing entry-level positions that don't lead to career advancement, or that the associate's degree hits a ceiling quickly in the business field.

The debt picture is actually quite good: $28,094 is higher than the national median but right in line with typical Florida borrowing for this program. More importantly, it ranks in the 9th percentile nationally, meaning 91% of similar programs leave students with more debt. At initial earnings, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 looks manageable, but that calculation becomes less favorable as earnings decline.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether your child plans to continue their education. If this associate's degree is a stepping stone to a bachelor's program, the strong first-year earnings and reasonable debt load make it workable. But if they're entering the workforce permanently with just the associate's, those declining earnings suggest they'll likely need additional credentials or training within a few years to maintain earning power.