Criminal Justice and Corrections at American InterContinental University-Houston

American InterContinental University-Houston charges nearly double what most criminal justice programs in Texas require in student loans—$27,750 versus a state median of just $13,140—while delivering earnings that trail both state and national averages. With first-year earnings of $28,600, graduates face a debt load roughly equal to their entire first year's salary. Texas community colleges like Central Texas College and Lone Star place their graduates into positions earning $37,000+, all while keeping debt dramatically lower.

The earnings trajectory does improve, climbing to $32,943 by year four, but that's still below what many graduates from Texas community colleges earn right out of the gate. The program ranks only in the 40th percentile statewide, meaning 60% of comparable Texas programs deliver better outcomes. The institution's high Pell Grant population (77%) suggests it serves students who can least afford to take on excessive debt for below-average returns.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: you're likely paying $14,000 more in loans than at comparable Texas schools while positioning for lower earnings. Community college pathways offer better value for associate-level criminal justice credentials in this state. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances making AIU-Houston uniquely accessible, this represents a costly route to a career where employers rarely distinguish between institutions at the associate level.