Security Science and Technology at The University of Tampa

The University of Tampa's security science program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt—above the state's typical $20,096 for these programs—while similar programs in Florida suggest first-year earnings around $46,245. That debt load isn't catastrophic, but it's worth noting you're paying a premium compared to what Florida State or Embry-Riddle graduates reportedly earn ($58,249 and $55,259 respectively) with their actual tracked outcomes.

What makes this estimate particularly uncertain is the wide variance among Florida's security programs. The gap between Florida State's reported $58,249 and Florida Gulf Coast's $28,173 shows this field doesn't produce uniform results—outcomes likely depend heavily on the specific security sector graduates enter (cybersecurity versus physical security, private versus government work). Tampa's selective 41% admission rate and low Pell enrollment suggest a student body that may have additional resources or networking advantages, but without actual graduate data, you're making assumptions about how Tampa's specific program performs within that range.

The practical reality: your child would enter the workforce with debt equal to about seven months of their estimated first-year salary, which is manageable if those earnings materialize. But before committing to Tampa's premium price point, press the career services office for concrete information about where recent graduates actually landed jobs and what they're earning. The difference between the top and bottom of Florida's range represents a $30,000 annual swing—enough to make this either a solid investment or an expensive gamble.