Location: Pensacola, FL•In-State Tuition: $6,360•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,241•Admission Rate: 57%•Avg SAT: 1137
Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,986
5th percentile
25th percentile in Florida
Median Debt
$20,500
12% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.51 ManageableSample: 19 graduates Limited data

Analysis

The small sample size here demands caution, but the underlying pattern is troubling: University of West Florida's finance graduates start at nearly $14,000 below Florida's median for the program and roughly $10,000 behind comparable state schools like Florida Gulf Coast. While UWF ranks in the 25th percentile statewide, it sits in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of finance programs across the country produce better first-year outcomes. Even with solid 26% earnings growth over four years, graduates still trail their peers from UCF and FSU by several thousand dollars.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $20,500, it's slightly below Florida's average and manageable relative to first-year earnings. However, modest debt doesn't compensate for persistently lower earnings when Florida's finance market clearly supports higher salaries—UF and Miami graduates earn $70,000+ right out of the gate. The gap suggests either weaker recruiting pipelines or geographic limitations in Pensacola's job market compared to Florida's major metro areas.

For families considering this program, the limited sample makes it hard to know if these figures represent a consistent trend or an anomaly. If your student is committed to staying in Northwest Florida and values lower debt, this might work. But if they're seeking competitive finance salaries in Tampa, Miami, or Jacksonville, they'd likely be better served by programs with proven stronger outcomes in those markets.

Where University of West Florida Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all finance and financial management services bachelors's programs nationally

University of West FloridaOther finance and financial management services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of West Florida graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of West Florida earns $40k — 5th percentile among finance and financial management services bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of West Florida$39,986$50,345+26%
University of Miami$70,352$89,692+27%
University of Florida$70,663$83,279+18%
The University of Tampa$51,845$76,735+48%
Florida State University$56,516$75,328+33%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Finance and Financial Management Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (30 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of West FloridaPensacola$6,360$39,986$50,345$20,5000.51
University of FloridaGainesville$6,381$70,663$83,279$17,9540.25
University of MiamiCoral Gables$59,926$70,352$89,692$14,5000.21
Florida State UniversityTallahassee$5,656$56,516$75,328$18,1620.32
University of Central FloridaOrlando$6,368$56,415$66,928$18,8430.33
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers$6,118$55,882$70,927$21,2390.38
National Median—$53,590—$23,3320.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with finance and financial management services graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Personal Financial Advisors

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

$102,140/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of West Florida, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.