Hospitality Administration/Management at Saint Leo University

Saint Leo's hospitality program carries significant risk for students, with first-year earnings of just $28,130—about $6,500 below both the national and Florida median for this degree. Even among Florida's 19 hospitality programs, this ranks only in the 25th percentile, trailing schools like Florida Gulf Coast (where grads earn $39,108) and FSU by roughly $10,000. The program sits in the bottom 5% nationally, a troubling position for a field where geographic location and industry connections typically matter enormously.

The silver lining is substantial earnings growth—graduates see their income jump 70% by year four to nearly $48,000, which suggests the program may help students build career momentum even if they start at a disadvantage. Debt levels are moderate at $23,923, creating a manageable but not comfortable first-year ratio of 0.85. However, these figures come from a very small graduating class (under 30 students), meaning one or two outlier experiences could significantly skew the numbers either direction.

For parents weighing Florida hospitality programs, this one starts students behind their peers at most state universities. Unless Saint Leo offers specific connections or opportunities that aren't reflected in these earnings—internship pipelines, specialized tracks, or strong alumni networks in target markets—families should seriously consider the stronger-performing alternatives within Florida's public system where graduates enter the workforce with a clear advantage.