Computer Software and Media Applications at St Petersburg College

Among Florida's software training programs, St. Petersburg College lands in the 60th percentile for earnings—a respectable middle position, though that translates to roughly $2,200 less than top-performing Valencia College. Starting at $27,889, graduates earn modestly below the national benchmark but match Florida's median exactly. The $21,799 debt load is relatively manageable at 0.78 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay it off in under a year if they committed every dollar earned (though life rarely works that way).

The concerning element here is modest earnings growth: just 8% over four years brings graduates to barely $30,000 annually. That's entry-level retail manager territory, not exactly the tech premium families expect from a software program. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—a few outliers could be skewing the picture either direction.

For families banking on software skills launching a tech career, this program delivers modest, stable income rather than the explosive growth potential of four-year computer science degrees. It's workable if your child needs credentials quickly and plans to keep learning on the job, but the debt-to-earnings math only works if they graduate on time and find immediate employment. Consider this a foot-in-the-door credential rather than a destination degree.