Economics at University of Central Florida

UCF economics graduates earn just above Florida's median at $47,743, placing them in the 60th percentile statewide—ahead of programs at FSU and Florida Gulf Coast, though trailing Tampa and FAU. However, this sits well below the national median of $51,722, suggesting stronger programs exist beyond Florida for economics majors.

The debt picture looks better than earnings might suggest. At $25,750, it's manageable relative to first-year income (54% debt-to-earnings ratio), and actually sits in the 21st percentile nationally for debt burden—meaning 79% of economics programs saddle graduates with more debt. For a state university education, this represents reasonable borrowing, particularly given UCF's accessibility (40% admission rate, 33% Pell grant recipients).

The caveat here is significant: with fewer than 30 graduates in this sample, one or two outliers could skew these numbers considerably. If your child is serious about economics and UCF, the safer bet may be treating these figures as approximate rather than definitive. That said, the combination of below-median debt and solid in-state performance suggests UCF delivers adequate preparation without overcharging. Just know that economics majors at peer institutions—especially outside Florida—are typically earning $4,000-$7,000 more in their first year.