Business Administration, Management and Operations at Valencia College

Valencia College's business associate degree graduates start at $31,120—roughly $8,000 below the Florida median for similar programs. That 25th percentile ranking among Florida schools is the real concern here. When nearby community colleges like Broward and St. Petersburg are producing graduates earning $47,000-$50,000 with the same degree, you have to question what's different about Valencia's outcomes. The modest debt load of $13,347 helps somewhat, but it doesn't fully compensate for landing in the bottom quarter of Florida programs.

The 22% earnings growth to $38,105 by year four shows graduates do gain traction over time, though they're still trailing state peers significantly. For a family paying in-state tuition at a community college, this isn't a financial disaster—the debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. But if your child has options at St. Pete or Broward, those schools are delivering substantially better starting salaries for essentially the same credential.

The bottom line: Valencia serves a high-need population (39% Pell recipients), which may partly explain lower earnings, but neighboring Florida community colleges demonstrate better outcomes are achievable. If Valencia is the most convenient option, this degree won't bury your child in debt, but recognize they'll likely start behind peers from other state programs and spend years catching up.