Criminal Justice and Corrections at Belmont Abbey College

Belmont Abbey's Criminal Justice program lands right at North Carolina's median for graduate earnings—which means it outperforms nearly 40% of the state's criminal justice programs but trails top options like Strayer and University of Mount Olive by $4,000-$9,000. That positioning matters when the program already starts below the national median of $37,856.

The debt load of $27,000 translates to a manageable 78 cents owed for every dollar earned in year one, and graduates do see steady income growth to $39,395 by year four. However, even with that 14% increase, earnings remain modest for a field where North Carolina's stronger programs consistently deliver $40,000+ outcomes. The gap between Belmont Abbey and NC's top five criminal justice programs widens over time rather than narrows.

One significant caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable than data from larger programs. For families prioritizing local law enforcement or corrections careers in North Carolina, this program offers middle-of-the-pack preparation at middle-of-the-pack debt. But those hoping to maximize earning potential should examine why programs like Campbell and Wingate—with similar private college profiles—consistently produce higher-earning graduates.