Business Administration, Management and Operations at University of South Florida

USF's business program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid public university: middle-of-the-road earnings with below-average debt. Starting at $46,000 and climbing to $51,500 by year four, graduates earn slightly more than the national median and land in the 60th percentile among Florida's 93 business programs. The debt load of $21,751 comes in about $5,000 below the national average, giving this program a healthy 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio that makes the investment manageable from day one.

The comparison to Florida's top programs is worth noting—schools like Embry-Riddle and Florida Tech push graduates into the $64-67k range, but they're specialized institutions with higher costs and narrower appeal. For a traditional business degree, USF sits comfortably in the state's upper tier while maintaining the accessibility and broader mission of a large public university. The 12% earnings growth over four years isn't spectacular, but it's steady and positive.

For parents weighing in-state tuition options, this is a safe bet. Your child won't graduate making what computer science majors earn, but they'll enter the workforce with modest debt and competitive starting pay that beats most Florida business programs. The numbers suggest USF is doing its job: providing accessible business education that translates to reliable career outcomes without saddling graduates with excessive debt.