Marketing at Saint Leo University

The starting salary of $28,344 for Saint Leo's marketing graduates should immediately raise red flags. This places the program in just the 10th percentile among Florida marketing programs—meaning 90% of comparable programs in the state produce better initial outcomes. For context, the typical Florida marketing graduate earns $43,772 right out of school, which is 54% higher than what Saint Leo grads make.

The 73% earnings jump by year four looks impressive on paper, but it only brings graduates to $49,078—roughly what peers from UF or FSU earn immediately. You're essentially paying for four years of catch-up. The debt load of $24,569 isn't outrageous compared to national figures, but when stacked against that dismal first-year salary, it creates real financial strain. Graduates are starting at less than $30,000 while carrying federal loan payments.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, but even accounting for statistical noise, the program's bottom-decile ranking in Florida suggests a consistent pattern. If your child is set on marketing and Saint Leo specifically, understand they're likely trading four years of significantly lower earning potential compared to other Florida options. That's a steep price for any particular campus experience.