Public Administration at St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College's public administration program charges significantly more in debt than virtually every other option in Florida while delivering below-average earnings. At $31,809, graduates carry roughly $8,000 more debt than the state median for this degree, yet earn $3,300 less than their peers at other Florida schools. That's a particularly tough combination for a state college program that should theoretically offer a cost advantage.

The numbers tell a consistent story: this program ranks at the 40th percentile both nationally and statewide for earnings, meaning six out of ten comparable programs produce better-paid graduates. Meanwhile, it ranks in just the 5th percentile for debt—only 5% of programs saddle students with higher loan burdens. When Florida International University graduates earn $46,281 and Florida Atlantic hits the state median of $46,047, the question becomes why students would take on more debt for less earning potential at St. Pete.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 isn't catastrophic, and graduates should be able to manage repayment on a $42,735 salary. But this assumes students are getting what they paid for: a credential that opens doors in government and nonprofit sectors. For a one-third Pell Grant population, paying premium debt for below-average outcomes undermines the value proposition. Florida families have stronger public administration options that cost less and deliver more—that matters when choosing where to invest limited resources.