Criminal Justice and Corrections at Ball State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests manageable borrowing—similar programs nationally indicate graduates could clear their debt load in about four months of pre-tax income. That's reasonable leverage for a credential that appears designed as a supplemental qualification rather than a standalone degree. However, with first-year earnings around $48,000 based on peer programs, this certificate sits squarely in the middle of what criminal justice credentials typically deliver nationally, while Indiana's own median for these programs runs slightly lower at $46,560.

The gap between top and bottom performers in Indiana is stark. Purdue Global's certificate holders earn nearly $60,000 in year one, while Ivy Tech graduates start around $33,000—both with actual reported data. Ball State's estimated position between these extremes doesn't tell you much about whether this specific program connects to better jobs or simply adds credentials to résumés. The $15,400 estimated debt is modestly higher than the national median for these certificates, though considerably lower than Indiana's typical $22,000.

For a parent, the question is whether your child needs this certificate at all. If they're already pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field, this supplemental credential may offer marginal value at best. If they're working in law enforcement or corrections and need specific professional credentials, the debt load is manageable—but you'd want to confirm this particular certificate actually meets employer requirements in their target career path.