Analysis
Bay Mills Community College's bachelor's program in criminal justice comes with an estimated $26,000 in debt, remarkably close to both the state and national medians for this field. With around 42% of students receiving Pell grants, this tribal college serves a population where borrowing this amount represents a significant investment. Based on what peer programs in Michigan produce, first-year earnings around $39,857 would put graduates roughly at the state medianβmiddle of the pack but well below what the state's top performers deliver. Programs at Siena Heights and Ferris State, for instance, lead to substantially higher starting salaries.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 suggests manageable repayment in theory, but the reality depends heavily on whether Bay Mills graduates actually achieve outcomes comparable to the state average. Criminal justice is a crowded field in Michigan with 24 bachelor's programs competing for similar positions in law enforcement, corrections, and related fields. The consistency between estimated debt here and what similar schools report is reassuring, but the earnings figure remains uncertain for this specific program. Without actual graduate outcomes, you're essentially betting that Bay Mills can match what other Michigan programs deliverβa reasonable assumption, but still an assumption.
If your child is committed to criminal justice and values the community college setting or tribal college mission, this program's estimated costs align with field norms. Just recognize you're making decisions with limited visibility into how Bay Mills graduates specifically fare in the job market.
Where Bay Mills Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,320 | $39,857* | β | $26,000* | β | |
| $29,778 | $67,009* | $57,804 | $22,250* | 0.33 | |
| $33,076 | $48,328* | $46,814 | $27,000* | 0.56 | |
| $13,630 | $44,897* | $52,189 | $25,260* | 0.56 | |
| $14,266 | $43,937* | $55,447 | $22,852* | 0.52 | |
| $12,810 | $42,341* | $49,289 | $47,500* | 1.12 | |
| National Median | β | $37,856* | β | $26,130* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates
Financial Examiners
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bay Mills Community College, approximately 42% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 17 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.