International Business at Saint Leo University

With around $25,000 in estimated debt—about $7,500 above the state median for this program—Saint Leo's International Business degree appears positioned toward the higher end of what Florida students typically borrow for this credential. The first-year earnings estimate of $46,354 tracks closely with the state median, putting graduates roughly on par with their peers at Florida International University and below what University of North Florida or University of Tampa typically report. The 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment, but the premium you're paying in borrowing isn't translating into a clear earnings advantage based on how similar Florida programs perform.

The real question is whether Saint Leo's specific program features—perhaps smaller class sizes or international connections given its 37% Pell-eligible population and private institution model—justify carrying nearly 43% more debt than the typical Florida International Business graduate. Nationally, the program tracks close to the median at $49,890, so this is less about the field's value and more about the cost structure at this particular school.

For parents, the key issue is loan amount control. If your student can graduate closer to the $17,500 state median through scholarships, community college transfer credits, or faster completion, the financial picture improves considerably. At the estimated borrowing level, you're banking on career outcomes that exceed what peer programs typically deliver—a reasonable hope, but one the available data can't confirm.