Criminal Justice and Corrections at Bossier Parish Community College

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers suggest a program that outperforms Louisiana's norms while struggling compared to national standards. At 60th percentile statewide, Bossier Parish beats most in-state alternatives—this matters for students who'll likely work locally. The debt load of $21,500 also sits right at the state median, making this a fairly typical Louisiana investment for criminal justice.

The concerning pattern is the earnings trajectory: graduates average $32,318 initially but see income drop to $30,344 by year four. This backward slide isn't uncommon in criminal justice fields where entry-level positions sometimes pay better than the next rung, but it complicates the already modest financial picture. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, you're looking at debt that equals about eight months of that first year's salary—manageable, but tight for someone earning in the low thirties.

For Louisiana students committed to criminal justice careers and wanting to stay in-state, this program edges out most local competitors. But the broader reality is stark: even outperforming most Louisiana programs still means earning less than the national median for this degree. If your child is determined to pursue this path, Bossier Parish represents a reasonable choice regionally, though consider whether Baton Rouge Community College's $36,000 earnings justify the extra distance.