Business/Managerial Economics at University of Central Florida

UCF's Business/Managerial Economics program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida schools—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a state where this major varies widely. First-year graduates earn $47,648, which matches Florida's median but trails the national average by about $5,500. However, the program's real strength emerges over time: earnings jump 38% to nearly $66,000 by year four, pushing graduates well past both state and national averages. This trajectory matters more than the modest starting point, especially given that many UCF students likely choose this program over pricier alternatives like University of Miami (which starts graduates at $64,000 but costs significantly more).

The debt picture is manageable at $23,105—just 48% of first-year earnings and close to the national median for this major. For Florida families, it's worth noting this debt level runs higher than the state median of $17,750, though UCF's accessible price point (serving 33% Pell Grant students) may partially explain this. The moderate sample size suggests you're looking at real outcomes, not statistical noise.

Bottom line: This program makes sense if you're focused on long-term earning potential rather than immediate salary. The 38% earnings growth substantially closes the gap with higher-ranked programs, and the debt remains reasonable enough that graduates should comfortably manage repayment while benefiting from that upward trajectory.