Criminal Justice and Corrections at George Stone Technical College

First-year earnings of $45,951 place this program below the middle of the pack—both statewide (where the median is nearly $50,000) and nationally. The debt picture looks manageable at an estimated $9,563, based on comparable Florida programs, but graduates here are earning roughly $4,000 less annually than peers at similar schools across the state. When you consider that top-performing programs like Palm Beach State and Hillsborough Community College produce graduates earning $60,000-plus in their first year, the gap becomes harder to ignore.

The modest 8% earnings growth to year four suggests this credential gets you in the door but doesn't accelerate your trajectory much beyond that initial placement. For students targeting local law enforcement or corrections work in the Pensacola area, this certificate may still serve as an affordable entry point—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 means graduates should be able to manage payments without strain. But families should recognize they're paying for convenience and location rather than competitive outcomes. If your student can access one of Florida's higher-performing programs without significantly disrupting their life, the $15,000-20,000 premium in first-year earnings would pay for any additional commuting or relocation costs within months.