Criminal Justice and Corrections at Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College graduates from this criminal justice certificate program earn $68,669 one year out—42% above the national median and well above Wisconsin's median of $60,737. That's a strong outcome for a credential requiring significantly less time and money than a bachelor's degree. The debt load of $19,381 is modest, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.28, meaning graduates earn back their entire debt in roughly three months of work. Nationally, this program ranks in the 94th percentile for earnings while keeping debt at the 10th percentile—an impressive combination.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional hire can skew the numbers significantly. Within Wisconsin, this program ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack (60th percentile), trailing Gateway and Waukesha County technical colleges by several thousand dollars. Still, outearning 60% of similar programs in your state while maintaining reasonable debt is hardly a poor showing.

For parents weighing this option, the fundamentals look sound—graduates enter the workforce quickly with manageable debt and earnings that substantially exceed what most certificate holders in this field achieve nationally. Just recognize that the small cohort size means your child's experience could vary more than at larger programs.