Hospitality Administration/Management at University of West Florida

University of West Florida's hospitality program graduates start at $34,656, which lands right at the state median but comes with a critical advantage: debt that's $3,000 lower than typical Florida programs and $6,000 below the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates can realistically manage their loans—a half-year's salary in debt is manageable in hospitality, where entry-level work is the norm. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida schools, performing better than several larger competitors despite UWF's regional focus.

The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one strong or weak year can skew these numbers significantly. The minimal earnings growth from year one to year four ($34,656 to $35,423) could reflect the broader hospitality industry's wage structure rather than program weakness. For a field where operational experience matters as much as credentials, starting with lower debt provides more flexibility to take positions that build valuable experience rather than chasing immediate salary.

If your student is serious about hospitality management and committed to Florida, this represents a cost-effective entry point. The lower debt load matters more here than in fields with steeper earnings curves, giving graduates breathing room to build careers without financial pressure forcing premature decisions. Just understand you're looking at limited data—visit campus and talk to recent graduates to verify these patterns hold.