Finance and Financial Management Services at University of Central Florida

UCF's finance program offers solid middle-tier performance with one notable advantage: significantly lower debt loads. Graduates earn $56,415 in their first year—about 9% above the Florida median and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. While UCF trails elite programs like University of Florida and Miami by roughly $14,000 annually, it delivers comparable outcomes to Florida State at a fraction of the debt burden.

The debt picture is where UCF truly shines. At $18,843, student borrowing sits well below both the national median ($23,332) and Florida median ($20,021) for finance programs. This creates a highly manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within a few years rather than carrying debt for decades. The 19% earnings growth from year one to year four also suggests graduates build valuable skills that translate to career advancement.

For parents weighing costs against outcomes, UCF presents a financially prudent choice. Your child won't graduate with the highest starting salary in Florida finance, but they'll enter the workforce with minimal debt and solid earning potential. Given that many finance careers reward experience and networking over prestigious alma maters, UCF's combination of reasonable outcomes and low debt makes it a smart investment for most families.