Marketing at University of Central Florida

UCF's marketing program outperforms most Florida schools while keeping debt remarkably manageable. With graduates earning $46,606 right out of school—ahead of 60% of Florida marketing programs—this represents solid value at a cost well below what many competitors charge. The $21,374 median debt sits exactly at Florida's median for marketing programs, but the stronger earnings translate to a debt-to-income ratio of 0.46, meaning graduates can realistically pay off loans within a year or two of focused repayment.

The trajectory looks healthy too: earnings climb 12% to $52,337 by year four, suggesting graduates build marketable skills that employers value. While this trails the state's top performers like UF and UM (both over $53,000 at the one-year mark), UCF costs significantly less to attend and maintains a 40% admission rate versus UF's extreme selectivity. For context, UCF marketing grads earn more than the national median of $44,728, placing them in the 59th percentile nationwide among 855 programs.

The practical takeaway: if your child can get into UCF's business school, this program delivers above-average Florida outcomes without the debt burden that often comes with private universities or out-of-state tuition. The combination of reasonable debt and stronger-than-average starting salaries makes this a financially sound choice for students interested in marketing careers.