Finance and Financial Management Services at University of West Florida

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.