Business Administration, Management and Operations at South University-West Palm Beach

South University-West Palm Beach graduates carry more than double the typical debt burden for this program—$55,162 versus a Florida median of $22,625. That's the 95th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 95% of business programs leave students with less debt. Meanwhile, first-year earnings of $43,773 fall below both the state median ($45,072) and national median ($45,703), landing this program around the 40th percentile in Florida.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.26 means graduates owe more than their entire first year's salary, creating significant financial strain. For context, top Florida business programs like Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech produce graduates earning $64,000-$67,000 with comparable or lower debt loads. The 11% earnings growth to $48,439 by year four helps, but doesn't fundamentally change the math—monthly loan payments will consume a substantial portion of take-home pay for years.

With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially stretched. This combination of below-average earnings and well-above-average debt creates a challenging starting point. Unless your family can substantially reduce borrowing through scholarships or out-of-pocket payments, Florida's public universities or higher-performing private options would deliver better financial outcomes for a business degree.