Criminal Justice and Corrections at Bethel University

Bethel University's criminal justice graduates earn $54,207 right after graduation—a striking $18,000 more than the Tennessee median and nearly $20,000 above the national average for this field. This puts the program in the 95th percentile both statewide and nationally, outpacing even Cumberland University, the state's second-ranked program. With a $31,250 debt load that sits below the 25th percentile nationally, graduates are managing less debt than most while earning significantly more.

The slight earnings dip to $53,625 by year four suggests most graduates settle into stable public safety or corrections roles rather than climbing into higher-paying administrative positions. Still, that salary level remains exceptional for criminal justice—a field where many programs leave graduates earning in the mid-$30,000s. The 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face manageable loan payments relative to their income, though the higher-than-average debt (compared to the $26,000 state median) reflects Bethel's private school tuition.

For Tennessee families considering criminal justice programs, Bethel delivers measurably better outcomes than the 24 other in-state options. You're paying more upfront, but the earnings premium persists well into graduates' careers. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results—this program consistently places graduates into better-paying positions than peers across the state.