Criminal Justice and Corrections at Blinn College District

Blinn College's criminal justice program starts graduates at $30,374—below both the Texas median ($31,344) and national average ($33,269)—but the earnings trajectory tells a more complete story. Within four years, graduates reach $40,580, a 34% increase that significantly outpaces typical growth in this field. That puts long-term earnings above many larger Texas community colleges offering the same credential.

The $14,230 debt load is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 that shouldn't burden graduates in entry-level law enforcement or corrections work. However, with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers may not be representative. A single oil industry security job or outlier salary could skew the averages considerably for such a small group.

The value here depends on what happens between years one and four. If your child plans to enter a field where advancement is typical—municipal police departments, county corrections, or federal agencies—that earnings growth becomes meaningful. But if they're more likely to stay in entry-level positions, starting $3,000 below the state median matters more. Given the small sample size, look closely at actual job placement outcomes before committing, especially when other Texas community colleges show stronger starting salaries with similar debt levels.