Criminal Justice and Corrections at Blackburn College

Starting at $33,739, Blackburn's criminal justice graduates earn roughly $5,600 less than the Illinois median and $4,100 below the national average. While the debt load of $25,751 is manageable—roughly in line with typical borrowing for this program—the earnings gap is significant enough that graduates face a tougher financial start than peers at similar Illinois schools. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably with more data, but the current picture shows earnings trailing competitors like Benedictine and Aurora by $10,000 or more annually.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 isn't alarming on its face, but context matters: this is a field where starting salaries rarely climb dramatically, so that initial earnings shortfall compounds over time. For a family considering Blackburn's 80% admission rate and commitment to serving Pell-eligible students (54% of enrollment), the question becomes whether the college's smaller environment and potential financial aid justify accepting below-median outcomes in a career field that's already modestly paid.

If your child is committed to criminal justice and Blackburn offers substantial aid beyond loans, the program could work. Otherwise, the in-state alternatives delivering $40,000+ starting salaries deserve serious attention—that $6,000-$12,000 annual difference adds up quickly when you're paying down student loans.