Criminal Justice and Corrections at Amarillo College

Amarillo College's Criminal Justice program places graduates solidly in the middle of Texas offerings, with year-four earnings of $44,892 surpassing both the state median ($31,344) and national average ($33,269) by comfortable margins. At the 60th percentile among Texas programs, it trails schools like Central Texas College and Lone Star, but outperforms about half the state's options while keeping debt manageable at $16,624—just above the state median of $13,140.

The 25% earnings growth from year one to year four is encouraging, suggesting graduates gain traction in law enforcement or corrections careers over time. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, graduates can realistically tackle their loans within a year or two of full-time work. For a community college serving a region where 44% of students receive Pell grants, these outcomes represent solid economic mobility.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could differ significantly. That said, for families looking at an affordable path into public safety careers in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo College delivers competitive results without the debt burden that often accompanies four-year programs. Just recognize you're not getting the premium outcomes of the state's top performers—you're getting dependable middle-tier value.