Accounting at The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's accounting program lands solidly in the middle of Florida's competitive landscape—outperforming the state median by nearly $20,000 by year four while carrying debt that's slightly above the Florida average. Among Florida accounting programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, which means it beats out most competitors but trails flagship schools like UF and UNF by a noticeable margin. The $71,151 median salary four years out combined with manageable debt creates a reasonable financial foundation, though that 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means you're looking at roughly six months of gross income to cover the loans.

The 35% earnings growth from graduation to year four suggests graduates gain traction in the field, likely moving from entry-level bookkeeping roles into staff accountant positions. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift considerably with more data. At a private university price point, your child would need to land in this median range or better to justify the investment over more affordable in-state options.

For a middle-income family, this represents a viable but not exceptional path. The outcomes justify the debt load, but Tampa's premium pricing means your child should have clear career goals in accounting—this isn't the place to test-drive the major. If cost is a primary concern, compare the all-in price here against Florida's public universities, where outcomes aren't dramatically different but sticker prices typically are.