Computer Programming at The College of the Florida Keys

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 suggests a manageable financial start for this associate's degree, though the picture here relies entirely on estimates from peer programs across Florida. With first-year earnings projected around $39,000—aligned with Florida's state median for computer programming associates—graduates would be carrying roughly $16,700 in debt, comparable to what students face at similar community colleges statewide.

Florida's computer programming associate's degrees show considerable variation in outcomes. Programs like Hillsborough Community College report graduates earning above $42,000, while Valencia College sits closer to $36,600. The College of the Florida Keys' small graduating class makes it impossible to know where their specific outcomes fall within this range, or whether the island location affects job placement and starting salaries compared to programs near Florida's larger tech markets.

The fundamental numbers work—debt that's less than half of first-year earnings is far from crushing. But choosing this program means accepting significant uncertainty about whether its graduates actually match these statewide averages. If your child is committed to staying in the Keys or has specific employment connections there, the convenience may justify that uncertainty. Otherwise, consider whether a larger Florida community college with reported outcomes would offer both transparency and potentially better access to entry-level tech opportunities.