Criminal Justice and Corrections at City College-Hollywood
Associate's Degree
Analysis
At $27,993 in first-year earnings, City College-Hollywood's criminal justice associate's degree significantly underperforms both state and national benchmarks—sitting in just the 25th percentile among Florida programs and 16th percentile nationally. The $27,520 in median debt compounds this concern, creating a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio that leaves little room for graduates to manage loan payments comfortably. For context, nearby Broward College's graduates earn $34,607, while the state median sits at $33,950—both substantially higher for similar or lower debt loads.
The silver lining is that debt here is actually below typical levels for this program (5th percentile nationally means 95% of similar programs carry higher debt). However, that advantage is overshadowed by earnings that lag $6,000 behind Florida's median for criminal justice associate's degrees. With 100% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters immensely at this institution, yet graduates aren't seeing the earnings return needed to justify even moderate debt.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift, but the current picture suggests families should seriously consider alternatives. Nearby options like Broward College or Seminole State offer clearer paths to financial stability in this field, with meaningfully higher earnings potential for comparable or lower cost.
Where City College-Hollywood Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How City College-Hollywood graduates compare to all programs nationally
City College-Hollywood graduates earn $28k, placing them in the 16th percentile of all criminal justice and corrections associates programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Criminal Justice and Corrections associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (42 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City College-Hollywood | $27,993 | — | $27,520 | 0.98 |
| Rasmussen University-Florida | $47,447 | $45,519 | $24,408 | 0.51 |
| Saint Leo University | $37,236 | $58,008 | $30,452 | 0.82 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | $36,589 | $40,823 | $12,942 | 0.35 |
| Broward College | $34,607 | $42,747 | $10,724 | 0.31 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | $33,292 | $39,583 | $25,366 | 0.76 |
| National Median | $33,269 | — | $14,230 | 0.43 |
Other Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs in Florida
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Florida Ocala | $15,117 | $47,447 | $24,408 |
| Saint Leo University Saint Leo | $28,360 | $37,236 | $30,452 |
| Seminole State College of Florida Sanford | $3,227 | $36,589 | $12,942 |
| Broward College Fort Lauderdale | $2,830 | $34,607 | $10,724 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale | $24,136 | $33,292 | $25,366 |
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 City College-Hollywood, approximately 100% 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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.