Criminal Justice and Corrections at Baker College

Baker College graduates earn significantly more than typical criminal justice majors—sitting in the 76th percentile nationally and surpassing Michigan's median for this program by nearly $10,000 four years out. The trajectory looks solid too, with earnings climbing 16% from year one to year four. Among Michigan's 24 criminal justice programs, this performance lands in the 60th percentile, trailing only a handful of schools. That's reassuring given the field's reputation for modest pay.

The problem is cost. At $47,500 in median debt—nearly double both the national and state medians for this program—Baker College charges premium prices for what is ultimately a middle-class career. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.12 is manageable (you'll earn slightly less than what you owe in your first year), most criminal justice graduates elsewhere start with half this debt burden. Graduates from programs with similar earning outcomes at Ferris State or Lake Superior State likely owe considerably less.

For families who can afford it or have significant financial aid, the earnings justify enrollment—these graduates do outperform most peers. But if your child needs to borrow the full median amount, cheaper in-state options would deliver similar career outcomes with far less financial stress.