Business Administration, Management and Operations at St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $47,669—40% above the national median and landing in the 95th percentile nationally for associate's business programs. That's impressive for a two-year degree, particularly at a school where one-third of students receive Pell grants. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures might not be representative, and the unusual earnings pattern raises questions.

The concerning part is what happens next: earnings drop 10% by year four to $42,956. While that's still solid compared to the $34,000 national median, this backward trajectory is atypical and could suggest graduates are taking higher-paying but less stable initial positions, or that the associate's degree hits a ceiling quickly in this field. The debt load of $24,618—about 75% higher than the national median for this program—adds pressure, though the 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable with that strong starting salary.

Within Florida's competitive landscape, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, well below top performers like Broward College ($50,374) but ahead of many peers. For families considering this path, the value depends heavily on landing one of those strong first-year positions and having a plan for career advancement that doesn't rely solely on the associate's degree.