Security Science and Technology at Florida State University

Florida State's Security Science and Technology program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $58,249 their first year—nearly 50% more than the national median and $12,000 above Florida's typical program. Among the 10 Florida schools offering this degree, FSU ranks in the 80th percentile, trailing only Embry-Riddle's aviation-focused program while significantly outpacing the competition.

The debt picture sweetens the deal considerably. At $20,693, graduates owe less than both national and state medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.36. That means the typical graduate could feasibly pay off their loans in under five months if they devoted their entire salary to it—or more realistically, knock out their debt in 2-3 years with disciplined budgeting. This is particularly striking for a field that often involves emergency management, cybersecurity, and intelligence analysis roles that value FSU's strong connections to state government and regional defense contractors.

The caveat is a moderate sample size, suggesting this is a smaller program where individual outcomes might vary more than in larger cohorts. But for students interested in security careers, particularly those wanting to stay in Florida's government-heavy corridor from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, this program delivers solid earning potential without the debt burden that often accompanies specialized technical degrees.