Rankings / By State
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida
- 35
- Schools
- $46,207
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,360
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,055
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 35 schools run from $33,929 to $84,131, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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North Florida College delivers the most for the money: roughly $33,929 in median earnings against $804 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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North Florida College is the lowest-cost school here at $804 a year in net price.
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Florida State University graduates 84% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Palm Beach State College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.17× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 University of Central Florida ($58,308 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ($84,131), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- North Florida College costs $804 a year and Lynn University costs $44,089. Yet their graduates earn $33,929 and $49,006, nowhere near the $43,285 price gap.
- On value, North Florida College beats Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with North Florida College and Florida State University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $42K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Central Florida #1 overall | $58,308 ▲ +26% vs avg | $10,411 | 77% | 77 |
| 2 Florida State University #2 overall | $61,675 ▲ +33% vs avg | $11,297 | 84% | 77 |
| 3 University of North Florida #3 overall | $56,343 ▲ +22% vs avg | $10,154 | 69% | 77 |
| $60,249 ▲ +30% vs avg | $9,288 | 74% | 76 | |
| $56,746 ▲ +23% vs avg | $8,752 | 63% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida
This analysis ranks 35 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,207 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $13,360.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: North Florida College — Net Price: $804 | Graduation Rate: 61%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Florida State University — 84% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach — Median alumni earnings: $84,131
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Legal Profession Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the legal profession and the justice system?
$42,244
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$10,154
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Law and criminal-justice programs feed careers where outcomes hinge on two numbers most rankings ignore: bar passage and employment in the field. Salaries are famously bimodal, with a cluster at large firms and a long tail in public-interest and government roles. Debt loads can be heavy, so program quality carries unusual stakes.
The median graduation rate across these 35 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $42,244 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $10,154 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $16,500. Some 38% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.2%.
What we’re seeing: the gap between programs with strong bar-passage and placement records and the rest is wide, and debt makes that gap consequential. Median earnings of $42,244 against $16,500 in typical debt show why fit and outcomes matter more here than prestige alone.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Central Florida lands at #1 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $58,308 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,411 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Florida State University lands at #2 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $61,675 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,297 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of North Florida lands at #3 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (70/100). Graduates earn a median $56,343 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,154 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Florida International University lands at #4 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $60,249 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,288 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Florida Atlantic University lands at #5 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (69/100). Graduates earn a median $56,746 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,752 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
University of Florida-Online lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $71,588 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Florida Gulf Coast University lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (68/100). Graduates earn a median $54,560 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,568 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Saint Leo University lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,364 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,293 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Tallahassee, FL · 21% accepted · $13,739 net
Why it ranks #9
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,739 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
South Florida State College lands at #10 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,990 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,877 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Gulf Coast State College lands at #11 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $38,359 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,709 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Polk State College lands at #12 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $40,624 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,427 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Saint Johns River State College lands at #13 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,728 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,135 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Indian River State College lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,315 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,815 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Lynn University lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $49,006 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $44,089 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Palm Beach State College lands at #16 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $41,923 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,182 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Florida State College at Jacksonville lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,244 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,128 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Northwest Florida State College lands at #18 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,664 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,571 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Eastern Florida State College lands at #19 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $37,195 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,440 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
St Petersburg College lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,557 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,471 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Broward College lands at #21 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $41,939 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,506 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Daytona State College lands at #22 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $37,096 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,177 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Florida Memorial University lands at #23 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $36,624 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,238 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Tallahassee State College lands at #24 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,561 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,781 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
The College of the Florida Keys lands at #25 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,636 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Webber International University lands at #26 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $45,606 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,529 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Daytona Beach, FL · 65% accepted · $41,272 net
Why it ranks #27
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach lands at #27 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $84,131 a decade after enrolling, 82% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,272 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
St. Thomas University lands at #28 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,272 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,312 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Edward Waters University lands at #29 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,782 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,649 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Bethune-Cookman University lands at #30 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $38,518 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,030 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Warner University lands at #31 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $46,086 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,748 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Florida SouthWestern State College lands at #32 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $43,421 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,247 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Lauderdale, FL · 97% accepted · $30,498 net
Why it ranks #33
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale lands at #33 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (30/100). Graduates earn a median $39,696 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,498 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Trinity College of Jacksonville lands at #34 with a 48/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (53/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,275 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,011 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
North Florida College lands at #35 with a 47/100 composite, led by value per dollar (99/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $33,929 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $804 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 35 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering a degree in criminal justice, Florida offers a variety of options that cater to different needs and goals. With 40 colleges in our ranking, prospective students can find programs that not only match their interests but also lead to strong career outcomes. For many, the choice comes down to the balance between quality education and financial considerations.
The schools listed here have been evaluated based on critical factors such as graduation rates, average earnings, student debt, and overall program concentration. The top schools stand out because they not only have higher graduation rates but also provide graduates with solid earning potential. For instance, while the average earnings among these programs is $45,619, the leading institutions show figures significantly above that mark.
Take, for example, the University of Florida-Online, which boasts average earnings of $71,588 and an impressive graduation rate of 81%. In contrast, the University of North Florida, while still a solid choice, has lower earnings at $56,343 and a graduation rate of 69%. This difference illustrates how outcomes can vary widely among similar programs, making it vital for students to dig deeper into what each school offers.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 23 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Florida International University leads the group at 5.2%, with Saint Leo University (3.6%) and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (3.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 15.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Florida Memorial University enrolls the most, at 31.7%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 17% across the list, peaking at 36% at University of Central Florida.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.14, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Lynn University is highest at 1.70.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
A closer look at the data reveals a significant gap in earnings between the top performers and others. For instance, Florida State University graduates earn an average of $61,675, compared to the University of North Florida's $56,343. This highlights the importance of choosing a program with a proven track record for post-graduation success.
After reviewing all 40 options, it’s essential to reflect on personal priorities. Consider factors like location, campus culture, and financial implications. If a school has a lower net price but offers similar outcomes in terms of earnings, it might be a more appealing choice depending on your financial situation. Weighing these elements against the data can help in making a more informed decision.
Ultimately, this data illustrates the critical link between education and future stability. Choosing the right criminal justice program can pave the way for a successful career, making it vital to consider not just the numbers, but also how they align with personal goals and circumstances. One informed decision can set the course for a family’s future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida ranking? +
University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,308 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 77% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach posts the highest median earnings on this list: $84,131 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,207 average across the 35 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, North Florida College leads: graduates earn a median $33,929 against net price of about $804 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Florida State University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 84%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $13,360 a year across the 35 ranked schools with cost data. North Florida College is among the most affordable at roughly $804. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 35 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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