At $33,485/yr net price, Florida Career College-Margate graduates earn $28,928/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,485 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $133,940 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $28,928/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-5,072/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,208/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,027/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,654/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,423/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $33,565 | $9,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $27,874 | $18,347 |
| Public Health. | Associate | $22,874 | $20,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $21,794 | $9,500 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $21,761 | $10,313 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $19,306 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $15,511 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
57.2% of students at Florida Career College-Margate graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial math at Florida Career College-Margate does not work. You pay $33,485 a year in net price and earn a median of $28,928 ten years out , meaning a single year of attendance costs more than a full year of typical post-graduation pay. That gap is the core problem, and it holds across almost every program.
The one program that comes close to breaking even is the HVAC certificate at $33,565. It pays the most, carries the lowest debt at $9,500, and trains you for skilled trade work that South Florida's construction and property-management market actually hires for. If you attend this school, this is the program to consider.
The associate degrees are where you lose money. Computer and Information Sciences pays under $28,000 but saddles you with $18,347 in debt , nearly double the HVAC certificate's debt for lower earnings. Public Health is worse: $20,000 in debt against $22,874 in pay. You take on the most debt for the weakest return in both cases.
The specific risk here is that a certificate and an associate degree cost you the same $33,485 per year, but the certificate programs carry roughly half the debt. The longer degree tracks bury you deeper without paying more.
Look at the net price by income: families under $30,000 still pay $33,208, and it climbs above $36,000 in the $48-75k band. Aid does not meaningfully lower your cost at any income level here. You pay near-full price whether your family makes $25,000 or $100,000.
This school is a defensible bet only if you enroll in the HVAC certificate and want fast entry into the trades. For every other program, and for anyone weighing an associate degree, the debt-to-earnings numbers say look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida Career College-Margate worth the cost?
Florida Career College-Margate's net price of $33,485 per year leads to median earnings of just $28,928 after 10 years, making it a poor financial investment for most students. Only the HVAC program shows earnings that come close to justifying the cost.
What are the best paying programs at Florida Career College-Margate?
HVAC technology is the only program at Florida Career College-Margate that offers decent earnings potential at $33,565 annually. Computer and information sciences graduates earn $27,874, while public health and health administration programs lead to much lower salaries in the low $20,000s.
How much debt do Florida Career College-Margate graduates have?
Florida Career College-Margate graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively low compared to the school's annual cost. However, with most programs leading to earnings below $30,000, even this debt level can be difficult to manage.
What is the graduation rate at Florida Career College-Margate?
Florida Career College-Margate has a 57% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who enroll never finish their programs. This adds significant risk to an already questionable return on investment.