Criminology at University of South Florida

USF's criminology program offers solid value despite appearing unremarkable on paper. While first-year earnings of $37,108 land just below the national average, graduates perform notably better than most Florida programs—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide compared to a median of $35,096. This suggests USF provides stronger career preparation than most in-state alternatives.

The debt picture tells an encouraging story. At $20,302, graduates borrow about $2,300 less than the state median and nearly $5,000 less than the national average. Combined with reasonable starting salaries, this creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55. Strong earnings growth of 23% over four years demonstrates that criminology careers typically build momentum after that initial entry-level period.

For parents weighing options, USF criminology delivers reliable value—particularly when compared to pricier private alternatives like Barry University that may not justify their premium. The program produces graduates who can reasonably manage their debt while building toward solid mid-career earnings. Given criminology's inherent earnings limitations, this represents a practical path into the field without excessive financial burden.