Criminal Justice and Corrections at Arizona State University Digital Immersion

ASU's Digital Immersion Criminal Justice program delivers surprisingly strong value, particularly when you consider the debt burden. At $22,000 in median debt—roughly $17,000 below the Arizona state average and $4,000 below the national average—graduates get excellent bang for their buck. The program ranks in the 75th percentile nationally for earnings, meaning it outperforms three-quarters of similar programs across the country.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, with graduates starting at $42,187 and growing to nearly $50,000 by year four—an 18% increase that suggests good career advancement potential. Within Arizona, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it solidly in the upper half of state options while maintaining that crucial debt advantage. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is quite manageable, meaning graduates typically owe about half their first-year salary.

What makes this particularly compelling is the combination of above-average earnings with below-average debt. While University of Phoenix grads in Arizona earn about $6,000 more initially, they likely carry significantly higher debt loads given typical private institution costs. For families concerned about college affordability, ASU's digital program offers a path to competitive criminal justice careers without the crushing debt burden that often accompanies higher education today.