Mathematics at The University of Tampa

Is a private university math degree worth $21,750 in debt when Florida's public universities produce similar or better outcomes? Based on comparable programs across the state, University of Tampa math graduates can expect around $46,000 in first-year earnings—right at Florida's median but trailing the state's top programs by $3,000 to $5,000. Those higher earners include University of Central Florida ($51,315) and Florida State ($49,919), both public institutions where debt loads typically run lower.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 looks manageable on paper—that's roughly half a year's salary, which most financial advisors would consider reasonable. But context matters: with only 16% of Tampa students receiving Pell grants, most families here are paying substantial amounts out of pocket beyond loans. The math works if your child is set on Tampa's private school environment, but purely from a return-on-investment standpoint, Florida's public options deliver comparable or superior early earnings with less financial strain.

For families weighing this decision, the key question is whether Tampa's specific campus culture and smaller program size justify potentially paying more for outcomes that mirror the state average. The earnings estimates suggest competent preparation for entry-level positions, but they don't reveal any financial advantage over less expensive alternatives in Florida's public system.