Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College's IT certificate program charges roughly the same as competitors ($12,500) but appears to deliver better-than-average outcomes for Florida students. At $41,114 first-year earnings, graduates outpace the state median by nearly $900 and rank in the 60th percentile among Florida's 59 programs—meaning this certificate performs better than most alternatives in-state. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 means your child would owe roughly three months' salary, a manageable starting point for someone entering the workforce quickly.

The catch is sample size: fewer than 30 recent graduates provided this data, so individual circumstances could swing these numbers considerably. That said, the earnings figure aligns sensibly with entry-level IT support roles in the Tampa Bay area, and the debt load is modest compared to what students take on for four-year degrees. With a third of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students looking for affordable workforce entry.

For a parent weighing quick certification against a longer degree path, this represents a low-risk option—your child gets job-ready credentials without accumulating substantial debt. Just understand you're looking at support-level IT work, not software development salaries, and the small cohort means the school's track record here is still developing.