Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of Central Florida

UCF's business program delivers something increasingly rare: solid earnings with debt that won't haunt your child for years. At $18,268, the debt load sits well below both the national ($26,000) and state median ($22,625), while earnings start near $45,000 and climb to nearly $56,000 by year four—a healthy 23% increase. Among Florida's 93 business programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it outperforms most in-state options despite costing significantly less in borrowed money.

The numbers suggest UCF has figured out how to scale quality. With a robust sample size and reasonable admissions selectivity (40% acceptance rate, 1277 average SAT), the university appears to deliver consistent outcomes without gaming the system through hyper-selectivity. Yes, some Florida programs—primarily specialized schools like Embry-Riddle—report higher starting salaries, but those often come with steeper debt or serve niche industries. For a general business degree that keeps career options open, UCF positions graduates competitively without the financial burden.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means your child would owe less than half their first year's salary—manageable by any reasonable standard. Combined with steady earnings growth into mid-career, this represents a straightforward value proposition: credible preparation for business careers at a price that won't force compromise on other financial goals.