Criminal Justice and Corrections at Alabama A & M University

Alabama A & M's criminal justice program lands squarely in the bottom half nationally, with graduates earning $31,682 their first year—about $6,000 below the national median and $4,500 below Alabama's typical outcome for this degree. The concerning part isn't just the starting salary but the gap that persists: even after four years, earnings reach only $41,331, which other students in this field often surpass much earlier. The $32,500 in debt exceeds both national and state medians, creating a first-year debt burden that equals a full year's salary.

The program does show one bright spot: 31% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates gain ground once they establish themselves in their careers. However, landing in just the 40th percentile among Alabama programs means students are doing worse than average even within their own state—particularly stark when top performers like Herzing Birmingham ($67,229) and Columbia Southern ($60,461) demonstrate what's possible in this field locally.

For families where this is the most affordable option—and with 64% of students receiving Pell grants, cost clearly matters here—understand that career advancement will be gradual and financial pressure in those first years will be real. If other Alabama programs are accessible, particularly Troy or Faulkner, the initial earnings premium of $10,000-$20,000 could make loan repayment considerably more manageable from day one.