Criminal Justice and Corrections at Aurora University

Aurora University's criminal justice program starts graduates at $44,150—well above both the national median ($37,856) and Illinois average ($39,317)—then delivers impressive 32% earnings growth to reach $58,259 by year four. That trajectory puts this program in the top 15% nationally for criminal justice outcomes, though it ranks closer to the middle among Illinois programs. Still, only Benedictine achieves meaningfully higher starting salaries in-state, and Aurora's strong earnings growth suggests graduates are advancing into better positions rather than plateauing in entry-level roles.

The $23,635 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 0.54—lower than most criminal justice programs nationally. For context, the moderate sample size means these numbers reflect 30-100 graduates, but the pattern is clear: students are finding solid employment and climbing the career ladder. With 43% of Aurora students on Pell grants, this represents a genuine pathway to economic mobility in law enforcement, corrections, or related fields.

The value proposition is straightforward: Aurora charges slightly less debt than typical criminal justice programs while delivering above-average starting salaries and strong momentum. Parents of students serious about criminal justice careers—particularly those who need affordable access to quality education—should view this as a solid return on investment.