Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of Florida

At first glance, this program appears to struggle out of the gate—graduates earn just $26,539 their first year, barely above the national median for communication disorders programs. But look four years out and the picture shifts dramatically. Earnings nearly double to $52,814, a trajectory that outpaces typical growth in this field. Among Florida's nine communication disorders programs, this ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack, performing comparably to UCF but trailing USF's slightly stronger first-year outcomes.

The debt situation is genuinely favorable. At $15,000, graduates carry about one-third less debt than the national median of $22,362, and substantially less than most Florida peers. This means even with that modest starting salary, the debt burden is manageable—equivalent to just seven months of first-year earnings. The strong admission standards here (24% acceptance rate, 1397 SAT) suggest this is a competitive program, though the extremely small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year.

The key consideration: that $26,539 starting salary likely reflects graduates pursuing graduate school or working in lower-paid clinical assistant roles before earning their master's degree, which is required for full licensure as a speech-language pathologist. If your child plans that pathway, the low debt and strong institutional reputation position them well. If they're thinking of stopping at the bachelor's level, be aware the immediate earnings ceiling is limited.