Criminal Justice and Corrections at Aspen University

Based on comparable criminal justice programs in Arizona, this online bachelor's degree carries an estimated debt burden of nearly $39,000—roughly $12,700 more than the national median for this field. That debt load would equal almost an entire year's salary, which makes the typical loan repayment timeline considerably longer than programs with better debt-to-earnings profiles.

The estimated first-year earnings of $41,180 track closely with Arizona's median for criminal justice graduates, putting this program in the middle of the pack statewide. However, similar programs at Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University appear to produce comparable earnings with potentially different cost structures. The concerning element here isn't the earning potential—criminal justice salaries tend to be relatively consistent across programs—but rather the debt required to achieve it. National data shows criminal justice graduates typically carry about $26,000 in debt, making this program's estimated $39,000 figure notably high for the field.

For families considering this online program, the central question is whether the convenience justifies taking on 50% more debt than typical graduates in this field. Criminal justice careers often have structured salary scales that don't reward premium credentials, meaning that extra debt won't necessarily accelerate earnings. Compare carefully against Arizona's public universities, which serve the same employment market and may offer more manageable financing.