Criminal Justice and Corrections at Florida International University

FIU's criminal justice program stands out for one key reason: remarkably low debt combined with solid earnings growth. With median debt of just $18,623—far below both the national average ($26,130) and Florida average ($25,500)—students graduate with manageable financial burdens that allow the decent starting salary of $36,839 to work in their favor.

While initial earnings lag slightly behind state and national medians, the program shows impressive momentum with 30% earnings growth by year four, reaching $48,001. Among Florida's 36 criminal justice programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile—middle of the pack but competitive given the cost advantage. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 is excellent, meaning students can realistically pay off their loans without financial stress.

The caveat is that top-performing programs in Florida do significantly better—some nearly doubling FIU's starting salaries. However, those programs likely come with substantially higher debt loads. For families prioritizing affordability while still accessing a respected state university education, FIU's criminal justice program offers a smart balance: you'll graduate with minimal debt and earnings that grow meaningfully over time, even if you won't immediately match the highest earners in the field.