Business Administration, Management and Operations at Strayer University-Florida

Carrying $30,250 in debt—more than double the national benchmark of $13,980 for associate's degrees in business—puts this program in difficult territory. Similar Florida programs typically report first-year earnings around $39,010, which at least brings the debt-to-earnings ratio to 0.78, within manageable range. But that's before considering that 70% of students here receive Pell grants, meaning many families are already stretching to afford college. Four years out, when earnings reach $42,552, the debt load becomes more sustainable, though neighboring community colleges like Broward and St. Petersburg produce comparable business graduates with significantly lower debt burdens.

The earnings trajectory itself isn't the problem—peer programs in Florida suggest mid-$40s within a few years is realistic for business associate's degree holders. What's concerning is whether Strayer's tuition structure justifies itself when less expensive alternatives exist in the same market. The school serves a predominantly low-income population, and that estimated $30,250 debt represents nearly a year's gross income for a recent graduate.

If your child is considering this program, compare total cost directly against what you'd pay at a nearby state college or community college. The difference could easily be $15,000-20,000 in debt, and there's no clear evidence in these estimated figures that Strayer's outcomes justify the premium.