Criminal Justice and Corrections at Anderson University

Anderson University's criminal justice graduates start strong, earning $45,583 in their first year—well above both the national median ($37,856) and South Carolina's median ($36,747). However, that 93rd percentile national ranking deserves scrutiny: the small graduating class (under 30 students) means a handful of outcomes heavily sway these numbers. More concerning, earnings drop 7% by year four to $42,489, an unusual pattern that suggests limited career progression or potentially unstable early placements.

The debt picture is actually reasonable at $28,500, sitting below the 30th percentile nationally—meaning most programs leave graduates with more debt. The 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, especially with that strong initial salary. Within South Carolina, this program ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack (60th percentile), trailing Columbia College and The Citadel but competitive with regional peers.

The real question is sample size reliability. With fewer than 30 graduates, these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If your child has strong interest in criminal justice and Anderson's environment appeals to them, the debt load won't be crushing. But that earnings decline is a yellow flag—whether it reflects the small sample or actual career outcomes, it suggests tempering expectations about steady income growth in this field. Consider reaching out to the program directly about career paths their graduates actually pursue.