Criminal Justice and Corrections at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Is a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from an aviation-focused university worth nearly $27,000 in debt? Similar programs at Florida private schools suggest first-year earnings around $39,400—right at the state median but notably lower than what graduates from comparable programs at places like Saint Leo or even Indian River State College typically achieve. The estimated debt load matches what criminal justice graduates across Florida generally carry, producing a manageable 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many programs nationally.

What's unusual here is the context: Embry-Riddle's academic profile (average SAT of 1256, just 15% Pell Grant recipients) sits well above typical criminal justice programs, yet peer data suggests earnings in line with state averages. This creates an odd disconnect—you're paying selective-school prices for outcomes that other Florida criminal justice programs deliver at similar or lower cost. The top performers in this field within Florida are producing graduates who earn $43,000 to $67,000 in their first year.

The key question is whether Embry-Riddle's specialized strengths (airport security, federal law enforcement connections, homeland security focus) can produce better outcomes than these state-based estimates suggest. Without actual graduate data for this specific program, you're essentially betting on institutional reputation and niche specialization to beat the averages. That bet might pay off if your child targets aviation security roles, but for traditional criminal justice careers, programs with proven track records in Florida offer clearer returns.