Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,050
36th percentile
40th percentile in Florida
Median Debt
$20,896
20% below national median

Analysis

UCF's business program delivers solid financial outcomes with notably low debt, making it a practical choice for families concerned about college costs. With median debt of just $20,896—significantly below both national and Florida averages of $26,000—graduates enter the workforce with manageable financial obligations. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means students can reasonably expect to earn more than double their debt load in their first year, providing a comfortable cushion for loan repayment.

While the program's earnings rank in the 40th percentile among Florida business programs, this positioning reflects UCF's role as an accessible, mid-tier option rather than a premium program. First-year earnings of $45,050 trail the state median by about $1,300, but the 21% earnings growth to $54,536 by year four shows solid career progression. UCF graduates earn less than those from elite programs like Rollins College ($51,001) but comparable to other large state universities like USF.

The combination of reasonable earnings, exceptional debt management, and UCF's 40% admission rate makes this program particularly attractive for middle-class families. Your child would graduate with significantly less debt than typical business majors while still achieving respectable earning potential. For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing career prospects, UCF's business program offers strong value.

Where University of Central Florida Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Central Florida graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Central Florida$45,050$54,536+21%
Rollins College$51,001$74,225+46%
Strayer University-Florida$55,431$59,763+8%
DeVry University-Florida$57,020$56,664-1%
University of South Florida$45,357$50,844+12%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (19 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Central FloridaOrlando$6,368$45,050$54,536$20,8960.46
DeVry University-FloridaOrlando$17,488$57,020$56,664$47,2360.83
Strayer University-FloridaTampa$13,920$55,431$59,763$56,5171.02
Rollins CollegeWinter Park$58,300$51,001$74,225$26,0000.51
Florida State UniversityTallahassee$5,656$47,342$49,126
University of South FloridaTampa$6,410$45,357$50,844$19,5720.43
National Median$47,506$26,0000.55

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Central Florida, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 563 graduates with reported earnings and 492 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.