Accounting at Southern Technical College

Six similar accounting programs across Florida suggest first-year earnings around $39,000—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark. That's a promising start for an associate degree. However, the estimated $24,000 in debt tells a more complicated story. While this debt load is manageable compared to bachelor's degrees, it exceeds what comparable programs typically charge nationally ($19,000 median) and sits at the higher end among Florida's accounting options.

The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio based on these peer program figures lands in workable territory—graduates from similar programs could reasonably expect to dedicate about 60% of their first year's salary to debt repayment. For a school serving primarily Pell-eligible students (70% of the student body), this matters significantly. Better-performing Florida programs like Keiser University produce earnings in the high $40,000s, though direct comparison is difficult without knowing Southern Technical's actual outcomes.

The central question is whether Southern Technical's specific outcomes justify the premium over less expensive Florida options. Without school-specific data, you're essentially betting that this program will perform at least as well as the state average while paying above-average costs. If your student needs flexibility or proximity that Southern Technical offers, the estimated numbers suggest the investment could work—but exploring community college alternatives with lower debt loads would be prudent.