Computer and Information Sciences at Valencia College

Valencia College's Computer and Information Sciences program sits right at Florida's median for tech bachelor's degrees, with comparable programs suggesting first-year earnings around $57,000 against estimated debt of $19,400. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe about four months of their first year's salary—manageable by most standards. The figure falls below both the state median debt ($20,375) and well below the national median ($25,000), which matters when nearly 40% of students here receive Pell grants.

The earnings picture requires context. While $57,000 trails the national median by about $4,300, it reflects Florida's tech market more broadly—and Valencia's community college roots likely mean lower tuition costs contributed to that lighter debt load. The real gap appears when comparing to Florida's flagship programs: University of Florida and UCF graduates reportedly earn $90,000 and $68,000 respectively in their first year. That's a significant spread, though those programs likely draw different student populations and carry different price tags.

For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals work: tech degrees generally lead to jobs, and the estimated debt burden here won't be crushing. But if your student can access one of Florida's higher-earning programs at a comparable net price, the earnings data suggest it's worth serious consideration. Valencia makes sense as an affordable entry point into tech, particularly for price-sensitive families, but set realistic expectations about first-year compensation.