Computer Programming at Tallahassee State College

The numbers here deserve skepticism, even by estimate standards. Based on comparable programs nationally, this certificate tracks toward $43,727 in first-year earnings with roughly $13,274 in debt—a manageable 0.30 ratio that would typically signal solid value. But Florida's actual Computer Programming certificate outcomes tell a starkly different story. The one program in the state with reported data shows graduates earning just $15,968, and the state median sits at that same figure—less than 37% of what national peers produce.

That gap is too wide to ignore. Whether it reflects Florida's tech job market for certificate holders, program quality variations, or credential recognition issues, it suggests caution about assuming national patterns will hold here. At $13,000 in debt for a credential that might yield under $16,000 in starting pay, you're looking at a debt burden nearly equal to first-year earnings—a very different financial picture than the estimates suggest. The national figure might apply if your child plans to relocate immediately after graduation, but banking on Florida outcomes means this certificate carries meaningful financial risk relative to the investment required.