Criminal Justice and Corrections at American University

American University's criminal justice program starts graduates at below-average salaries—both nationally and compared to DC alternatives like George Washington ($51,256) and Trinity Washington ($47,385)—but delivers something noteworthy: 65% earnings growth by year four. That $37,147 starting salary jumps to $61,255, suggesting graduates either develop specialized skills valued in DC's policy and federal law enforcement landscape, or successfully pivot into higher-paying adjacent fields.

The debt picture requires some math. At $23,250, graduates borrow less than both the national and DC medians for this program, which helps offset the slower start. Still, you're paying selective-university tuition (47% admission rate, 1392 SAT average) for middle-of-the-pack initial outcomes in a city with federal agencies and think tanks that typically offer premium salaries for criminal justice graduates. The gap between American and top DC programs is significant in year one, though it narrows considerably by year four.

The practical question: is the trajectory worth the positioning? If your child wants to work in DC's policy sphere and has the patience for a multi-year career build, this could work—the endpoint is solid. But families expecting immediate returns on a $23,250 investment at a selective private university might find better value at DC's public institutions or GW if financial aid makes it comparable. The growth is real; whether it justifies the entry point depends on your timeline and alternatives.