Criminal Justice and Corrections at Hodges University

The estimated first-year earnings of $39,407 place this program right at the state median for criminal justice bachelor's degrees in Florida, but that four-year figure of $26,520 tells a worrying story about trajectory. While comparable programs in Florida suggest a manageable debt load of around $27,000—translating to a 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio—the sharp earnings drop by year four raises questions about job stability or career progression that other programs don't seem to face. Top performers in the state like Herzing Orlando and Saint Leo University report first-year earnings 20-70% higher, suggesting significant variation in how Florida criminal justice programs position their graduates in the job market.

For a field where many graduates enter government or corrections roles with structured pay scales, that four-year dip is unusual and concerning. It could reflect graduates leaving the field, taking lower-paying positions, or facing employment gaps. The estimated debt is roughly two-thirds of first-year earnings based on peer programs—not catastrophic, but only sustainable if that initial salary holds or grows rather than contracts. Given that criminal justice careers typically offer steady if modest advancement, the downward trend here needs explanation from the school directly before committing to this program over state alternatives with demonstrated upward earnings trajectories.