Public Health at St Petersburg College

St Petersburg College produces Florida's second-highest earning public health graduates, with first-year salaries of $51,565—nearly $17,000 above the state median and outpacing even many four-year university programs. Among Florida's 18 public health programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, and nationally it's even more impressive at the 95th percentile. The debt load of $29,125 sits just slightly above state norms but translates to a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's a solid financial foundation by any measure.

The challenge lies in the earnings trajectory. Salaries decline to $47,932 by year four—a 7% drop that's unusual for bachelor's degree holders in their mid-twenties. This could reflect graduates transitioning into nonprofit or government public health roles that prioritize work-life balance over maximum earnings, or it might indicate limited advancement opportunities without additional credentials. Still, even at the four-year mark, these graduates earn more than most Florida public health majors do right out of school.

For a community college bachelor's program serving many first-generation students (33% receive Pell grants), these outcomes are remarkable. Your child would enter a field where they're immediately competitive with university graduates, carrying reasonable debt for strong initial earnings. Just understand that graduate school or certification may be necessary for significant salary growth.