Business/Managerial Economics at University of West Florida

A debt load of $21,125 for a business economics degree seems manageable at first glance, but the estimated first-year earnings of $47,648—based on the few other Florida programs reporting data—tell a more complex story. That 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are likely looking at about five months of gross income to cover their loans, which is reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs. However, similar programs across Florida show considerable variation: University of Miami graduates earn around $64,000 while University of North Florida's grads start at $42,000, suggesting location and employer networks matter significantly in this field.

The challenge here is that both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than UWF's actual outcomes, making it difficult to know where this specific program lands in that $42,000-to-$64,000 Florida range. The national median for business economics sits higher at $53,000, which raises questions about whether Florida's business economics programs—including UWF's—provide the same value as those in states with larger financial centers. With a third of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters, and that estimated debt level is at least below the national median of $22,250.

Before committing, look at where UWF's business economics graduates actually land their first jobs. If most stay in the Pensacola area rather than moving to Tampa, Miami, or Orlando, those first-year earnings could skew toward the lower end of the state range—making that debt burden feel heavier than the ratio suggests.