Criminal Justice and Corrections at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Alexandria Technical's criminal justice program delivers steady earnings at a manageable cost, though it sits in the middle of Minnesota's pack. Graduates start at $54,355—solidly above the national median of $48,388 but notably below Minnesota's state median of $57,942. With debt of just $18,799 (well below the state's typical $25,125), students face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35—meaning they owe roughly four months of their first year's salary.

The financial picture improves over time, with earnings climbing 14% to nearly $62,000 by year four. This growth matters because it moves graduates closer to what programs like Rasmussen Minnesota ($67,135) deliver from the start. The trade-off here is clear: you'll start earning less than peers at top-tier Minnesota programs, but you'll carry significantly less debt doing it.

For families prioritizing affordable entry into law enforcement or corrections work, this program makes sense. The debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings trajectory is positive. Just understand that if your child attends one of Minnesota's higher-performing programs, they're likely to earn $3,000-$13,000 more annually—a gap that could justify slightly higher debt depending on career goals and financial aid packages.