Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting at Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates start strong in law enforcement and public safety careers, earning $50,091 in their first year—well above the national median of $46,440 and ranking in the 76th percentile nationally. However, the 60th percentile ranking within Florida tells a more nuanced story: while this program outperforms most schools nationally, it sits in the middle of the pack among Florida's six programs. By year four, earnings slip to $47,206, suggesting many graduates hit their compensation ceiling early in careers where pay is largely determined by government scales and seniority systems rather than individual advancement.

The financial picture remains manageable despite this plateau. With $23,222 in median debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, graduates can realistically handle their loans on a public sector salary. That's actually slightly better than the state median debt of $21,722, and the strong first-year earnings create breathing room for loan repayment before the earnings dip occurs.

For families committed to public safety careers, this program delivers solid preparation at a reasonable cost. The earnings decline is less about program quality and more about the realities of government employment—predictable pay schedules mean early-career earnings often represent close to mid-career salary. If your child values job stability and serving their community over maximizing income growth, the debt load here won't derail those goals.