Criminal Justice and Corrections at Ashland University

Borrowing roughly $22,000 for a two-year criminal justice degree leaves you with debt significantly above what most Ohio programs report—the state median sits at $16,799, and the national benchmark is even lower at $14,230. While similar programs in Ohio suggest first-year earnings around $38,500, that puts you at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, meaning more than half a year's salary goes to paying down what you borrowed. For context, community colleges across Ohio producing criminal justice graduates at this level typically carry less financial burden.

The earnings projection itself lands right at Ohio's median, but several state schools with reported outcomes—like North Central State and various Ohio University campuses—show graduates earning $44,000 to $47,000 in their first year. That $6,000 to $9,000 gap matters when you're carrying higher debt. Criminal justice isn't known for explosive salary growth early on, so starting behind financially can take years to correct.

Given the elevated debt estimate and earnings that mirror rather than exceed state averages, this program represents a riskier investment than many Ohio alternatives. If your child is set on this field, compare actual costs carefully and consider whether nearby community colleges or state universities might deliver similar career outcomes with substantially less borrowing. The difference between $22,000 and $14,000 in debt is real money that compounds over years of repayment.