Criminal Justice and Corrections at Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Berkeley College-Woodland Park graduates enter criminal justice careers earning roughly $33,000—about $5,000 below the national median and $2,000 below New Jersey's typical outcomes for this degree. While the program ranks only 40th percentile statewide, that comparison matters less than the absolute numbers: even after four years, median earnings reach just $40,000, leaving graduates with nearly a full year's salary in debt. Compare this to Kean University graduates in the same field who start at $39,000, or Felician grads at $41,000, with both carrying similar debt loads but entering at significantly higher earnings.

The 23% earnings growth over four years shows career progression, but it's building from a problematic starting point. With 60% of students on Pell grants, many families here are relying on educational debt to access a field where salaries may not support comfortable loan repayment. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier figures—this is the typical experience.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: there are multiple New Jersey schools producing criminal justice graduates who earn $7,000-$10,000 more annually while taking on comparable debt. Unless Berkeley offers specific career connections or scheduling flexibility that materially changes your child's employment prospects, those alternatives represent a stronger financial foundation for launching a public safety career.