Criminal Justice and Corrections at Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning slightly above both state and national medians, though the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could swing considerably year to year. Still, first-year earnings of $38,710 edge past Alabama's typical $36,216, and four-year earnings of $47,219 show meaningful growth. At 60th percentile within Alabama, this program sits comfortably in the middle tier, well behind specialized programs at Herzing or Columbia Southern but ahead of most competitors.

The debt picture looks manageable: $25,635 is actually below the state median for this degree, giving graduates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66—low enough that most borrowers could realistically pay it off within a few years on a criminal justice salary. The 22% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests career progression, which matters in a field where entry-level positions often pay modestly but experience opens doors to better-paying roles in corrections management or law enforcement.

The caveat here is the tiny sample size, which means one or two outlier graduates could dramatically shift these numbers. That said, if your child is committed to criminal justice and wants to stay in Alabama, this program delivers reasonable value—especially if they're receiving in-state tuition. Just manage expectations: this isn't a high-earning field, and those top Alabama programs earning $60,000+ likely serve different student populations or have specialized connections worth investigating.