Economics at The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's economics program punches above its weight in a crowded Florida market. With first-year earnings of $54,284, graduates earn nearly $7,000 more than the typical economics grad in Florida and outpace every major state university—including FSU, UCF, and USF. That's the 60th percentile statewide, which means this program delivers stronger outcomes than most Florida alternatives despite Tampa being a mid-sized private institution.

The debt picture reinforces this value. At $27,000, graduates borrow moderately more than state and national averages, but the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio remains comfortably manageable—about half of first-year salary. More impressively, this debt level sits at just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of economics programs nationwide saddle students with more debt. For a private university charging private tuition, keeping borrowing this contained while delivering premium earnings is noteworthy.

The major caveat: small sample size means these numbers could shift with just a few outlier graduates. But the pattern makes sense—Tampa has a robust business community where economics majors can land analyst and finance roles that pay competitively. If your child thrives in smaller classroom settings and wants to stay in Florida, this program offers a clearer return than the state's flagship options, assuming financial aid brings the out-of-pocket cost down to reasonable levels.