Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Strayer University-Florida

Strayer-Florida's IT management associate's delivers something rare: graduates earning $61,810 in their first year—$16,000 more than the typical Florida student in this program and nearly $20,000 above the national median. Among Florida's 32 schools offering this degree, only St. Petersburg College produces higher early earnings. The debt load of $28,174 is higher than state and national averages, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, graduates can realistically pay this off within a year or two of focused repayment.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings decline: graduates see their median income drop to $57,214 by year four, a 7% decrease that's unusual in technology fields. This might reflect the program serving 70% Pell-eligible students who face different career pathway challenges, or it could indicate that the associate's degree hits a ceiling without further education. Still, even at the four-year mark, earnings remain competitive with what most Florida programs produce initially.

For families focused on immediate employability and strong starting salaries, this program delivers. The premium tuition translates into premium job placement, at least in the short term. However, if your child plans to stay at the associate's level long-term, compare carefully against St. Pete College's stronger sustained earnings—or budget for a bachelor's completion program to break through that apparent ceiling.