Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herzing University-Orlando

Herzing University-Orlando's criminal justice graduates are earning nearly $70,000 their first year out—putting them in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Florida programs. That's 70% higher than the typical Florida criminal justice grad and roughly $30,000 above what students from well-known competitors like Saint Leo University are making. With debt at $28,000, graduates are earning more than twice what they owe in their first year.

The catch? Earnings drop to $59,000 by year four, a 12% decline that's unusual but still leaves graduates well ahead of their peers. This pattern might reflect graduates taking high-paying entry positions in federal law enforcement or corrections that don't lead to typical advancement trajectories, or it could indicate career pivots. Either way, even at the four-year mark, these earnings exceed what 95% of criminal justice programs nationally produce at the one-year mark.

For families considering this program, the numbers suggest strong immediate employment outcomes that justify the investment, despite the unconventional earnings trajectory. The school serves a predominantly working-class population (60% receive Pell grants), yet its graduates are dramatically outearning peers from more selective programs. That's a remarkable outcome for a criminal justice degree—a field where earnings typically plateau quickly and struggle to justify even modest debt loads.