Criminology at Barry University

Barry University's criminology program posts strong initial earnings at $44,015—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Florida programs—but with a crucial caveat about sustainability. Graduates start well above the state median of $35,096, earning more than those from University of Florida or USF. However, the 11% earnings decline by year four suggests either graduates transitioning to different career paths or challenges in advancement within criminal justice fields.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable relative to that first-year salary (0.61 ratio), and actually sits below both national and state medians for criminology programs. For a private university serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (46%), that's noteworthy cost control. The real question is what's driving that earnings drop: if it reflects graduates pivoting to graduate school or careers outside traditional criminal justice—both common in this field—it may be less concerning than it appears.

The small sample size here matters significantly. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing dramatically year to year. That said, the initial outcomes suggest Barry provides solid access to entry-level criminal justice positions in the Miami area. Parents should view this as a reasonable investment if their child plans to stay in South Florida and is genuinely committed to criminal justice careers, but should investigate that earnings trajectory more deeply during campus visits.