Criminal Justice and Corrections at Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University's Criminal Justice program commands a premium price but delivers exceptional results that justify the investment. At $47,853 in first-year earnings, graduates earn nearly $10,000 more than the national median and rank in the 95th percentile nationally—placing this program among the very best in the country. While the $30,500 debt load is above both national and Florida averages, the strong earnings create a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 0.64, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments.

The Florida context reveals an interesting dynamic: despite ranking 95th percentile nationally, Saint Leo sits at the 60th percentile within Florida's competitive criminal justice landscape. This suggests Florida has unusually strong programs in this field, with top performers like Herzing University-Orlando reaching $67,000+ in starting salaries. Still, Saint Leo's graduates earn $8,500 more than the typical Florida program graduate, making it a solid choice within the state.

The modest 4% earnings growth over four years is the program's main limitation, but the strong starting salary provides a solid foundation for career advancement. For families willing to invest in a private education, Saint Leo delivers measurably better outcomes than most alternatives, both nationally and within Florida's competitive market.