Compare 12 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Florida. Average earnings: $80,081.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Laser and Optical Engineering tells a different story. Across 13 programs, earnings range from $57,318 to $91,478—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Florida's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $91,478, well above the $78,615 average. University of Central Florida follows at $88,625, demonstrating how state universities dominate this specialized field regardless of broader institutional rankings.
High earnings paired with low debt create exceptional value. University of Florida graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. With a 0.16 debt-to-earnings ratio, students can pay off loans with roughly two months of salary.
Highest program earnings: $91,478
Strong outcomes ($86,225) with 59% acceptance
3.0% payment burden | Excellent
6.9% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of FloridaPublic | $91,478 | 130 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #2 | $88,625 | 135 | $18,190 | Excellent | $16,036 | Excellent | |
| #3 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $88,060 | 49 | $18,000 | Excellent | $17,000 | Excellent |
| #4 | $86,580 | 37 | $27,000 | Excellent | $29,276 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $86,225 | 117 | $16,500 | Excellent | $13,610 | Excellent | |
| #6 | $85,244 | 49 | $17,236 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #7 | $82,809 | 116 | $17,988 | Excellent | $15,541 | Good | |
| #8 | $80,759 | 46 | $15,531 | Excellent | $13,835 | Excellent | |
| #9 | $78,949 | 54 | $16,624 | Excellent | $12,269 | Excellent | |
| #10 | $70,375 | 17 | $14,250 | Excellent | $8,985 | Excellent | |
| #11 | $64,548 | 5 | $22,564 | Excellent | $9,461 | Good | |
| #12 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $57,318 | 21 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
