Analysis
South University-Tampa's psychology program carries debt levels that should immediately concern any parent: at nearly $55,000, graduates leave with more than double the state median and more than twice their first-year earnings. While the program serves a substantial Pell-grant population (48%), the financial burden falls hardest on students who can least afford it.
The earnings trajectory offers some optimism—graduates see 29% income growth over four years, reaching $36,910. However, this still means years of financial strain: even at the four-year mark, annual earnings barely exceed half the debt load. Florida State University's psychology program produces similar outcomes with debt under $25,000, and even for-profit Keiser University manages substantially lower debt with better starting salaries. Among Florida psychology programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile for earnings but bottom 5th percentile for debt—a combination that's difficult to justify.
Parents should run the numbers carefully here. A $55,000 debt load on a $28,000 starting salary translates to monthly payments that could consume 20-30% of take-home pay for a decade. Unless your family has significant resources to help manage this debt, this program poses genuine financial risk compared to dozens of more affordable Florida alternatives.
Where South University-Tampa Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How South University-Tampa graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| South University-Tampa | $28,684 | $36,910 | +29% |
| University of Miami | $30,417 | $47,513 | +56% |
| University of Florida-Online | $26,003 | $46,888 | +80% |
| University of Florida | $26,003 | $46,888 | +80% |
| Florida State University | $30,140 | $44,481 | +48% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Psychology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (44 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South University-TampaTampa | $18,238 | $28,684 | $36,910 | $54,702 | 1.91 |
 Trinity International University-FloridaMiami | $14,180 | $39,980 | — | $24,562 | 0.61 |
 Saint Leo UniversitySaint Leo | $28,360 | $36,139 | $35,931 | $32,461 | 0.90 |
 Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach | $37,990 | $35,403 | $39,584 | $25,281 | 0.71 |
 University of South FloridaTampa | $6,410 | $32,438 | $40,991 | $21,267 | 0.66 |
 Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale | $24,136 | $32,346 | $35,291 | $49,688 | 1.54 |
| National Median | — | $31,482 | — | $25,500 | 0.81 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with psychology graduates
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Psychologists, All Other
Neuropsychologists
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Managers, All Other
Loss Prevention Managers
Social Science Research Assistants
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At South University-Tampa, approximately 48% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 90 graduates with reported earnings and 152 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.