Analysis
A $54,665 starting salary—tracking the national median for real estate bachelor's programs—positions Stetson graduates competitively, particularly against Florida State's reported $55,257 and well ahead of UCF's $41,218. With estimated debt around $20,500, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 suggests manageable repayment, though parents should recognize these figures come from similar programs nationally rather than Stetson's own graduate outcomes.
The real estate major at a selective liberal arts college like Stetson offers something distinctive in Florida's market, where most programs sit at larger public universities. That $54,665 estimate exceeds the state median of $48,238 by roughly $6,400 annually, which could reflect the networking advantages and personalized attention at a smaller institution. The relatively modest debt load—lower than many private colleges—helps offset the premium families pay for Stetson's approach to professional education.
For families weighing this investment, the key question is whether Stetson's environment justifies choosing it over Florida's public alternatives, especially when actual outcomes data remains limited. The estimated numbers suggest solid fundamentals: reasonable debt paired with earnings that should support comfortable repayment. Still, parents would be wise to connect directly with recent Stetson real estate graduates to understand how the program's small cohorts translate into career placement and industry connections in Florida's competitive real estate markets.
Where Stetson University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all real estate bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Real Estate bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $55,220 | $54,665* | — | $20,530* | — | |
| $5,656 | $55,257* | $76,464 | $19,500* | 0.35 | |
| $6,368 | $41,218* | — | $21,032* | 0.51 | |
| National Median | — | $54,665* | — | $21,126* | 0.39 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with real estate graduates
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Real Estate Brokers
Real Estate Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
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 Stetson University, approximately 35% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 28 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.