Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Valencia College

Valencia College's IT administration program produces graduates earning $45,819 right out of the gate—matching the Florida median and outperforming 71% of similar programs nationally. That's a solid start for an associate degree, with graduates clearing nearly $50,000 by year four. The debt picture is even more encouraging: at $15,486, students borrow about $3,000 less than the state median and roughly $6,000 less than the national average. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, graduates can reasonably pay off their loans within a couple of years while building their IT careers.

The big caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift considerably with a larger cohort. That said, the patterns make sense: Valencia's reputation as a quality community college, combined with Orlando's thriving tech sector (think theme park technology, defense contractors, and growing startups), creates legitimate pathways into IT roles without the debt burden of a four-year degree.

For parents weighing options, this represents a pragmatic entry point into tech. Your child won't match the $61,000 starting salaries at Strayer, but they'll also finish with minimal debt and can always complete a bachelor's later if desired. The steady 9% earnings growth suggests these graduates are gaining traction in the field, not hitting dead ends.