Health and Medical Administrative Services at Southern Technical College

Southern Technical College's graduates in this program start strong at $41,362—well above both Florida's typical $30,821 and the national median of $31,719—but then see earnings decline rather than grow, dropping to $36,519 by year four. That backwards trajectory is unusual and worth understanding, since most healthcare administrative careers build earning power over time as employees gain experience and credentials.

The estimated debt of around $29,162, based on comparable Florida programs at similar schools, translates to a manageable 0.71 ratio against first-year earnings. That's reasonable territory for a two-year degree, especially one serving a largely Pell-eligible population. However, the declining earnings pattern means that four years out, graduates are earning less while still paying down that debt—a tougher financial position than the initial numbers suggest.

The key question is whether these graduates are changing careers, moving to part-time work, or hitting an earnings ceiling in medical administrative roles that higher-credentialed workers break through. If your child plans this path, you'll want to understand what happens after that first year and whether additional certification or a bachelor's degree becomes necessary to restore upward momentum. Strong first-year earnings are helpful, but a career that peaks immediately after graduation deserves scrutiny before taking on nearly $30,000 in debt.