Criminology at Florida Southern College

Florida Southern College's criminology program places graduates ahead of most Florida schools in this field, with starting earnings around $40,000 that rank in the 60th percentile statewide—about $5,000 above the state median of $35,000. Nationally, it performs even better, landing in the 68th percentile. The $26,000 debt load sits slightly above the state median but below the national average, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. In practical terms, graduates can expect annual loan payments around $2,900, consuming roughly 7% of first-year income.

The troubling pattern here is zero earnings growth between years one and four, with income essentially frozen around $40,000. While graduates start with a decent lead over peers at other Florida programs, that advantage doesn't compound over time. Compare this to Barry University graduates who start at $44,000, or consider that even modest growth would make a significant difference over a career spanning decades.

The small sample size here matters—this data reflects fewer than 30 recent graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. For a family comfortable with $26,000 in debt and realistic about earning $40,000 in the first years after graduation, this program clears the basic affordability bar. But parents should understand they're paying private school tuition for outcomes that, while respectable, don't show the career momentum you'd hope to see four years post-graduation.