Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at University of South Florida

USF's Communication Disorders program starts modestly but demonstrates impressive momentum, with graduates' earnings jumping 46% by year four—from $28,425 to $41,520. That first-year figure already sits above both the national median ($24,702) and Florida's ($26,539), ranking this program in the 74th percentile nationally. The trajectory matters here: speech-language pathology assistants and related roles often require additional certification or experience before hitting higher pay bands, which explains the initial earnings and subsequent climb.

The debt picture looks manageable at $22,208, translating to a 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio that most financial advisors would consider healthy. However, it's worth noting this debt load runs about $7,000 higher than Florida's median for this field, suggesting some in-state alternatives might offer similar training at lower cost. The program's 100+ graduate sample size makes these figures reliable, not statistical flukes.

For families planning ahead, this program works best if your student intends to pursue graduate education in speech-language pathology or audiology—fields where a bachelor's is typically just the starting point. The strong earnings growth and solid national ranking suggest USF provides preparation that translates to career advancement, but the value calculation changes if your student plans to enter the workforce permanently with just the bachelor's degree.