Criminal Justice and Corrections at Bryant & Stratton College-Greece

Bryant & Stratton College-Greece's Criminal Justice certificate sits right at New York's median for the field—which unfortunately means it underperforms the national benchmark by nearly $20,000 annually. While 60th percentile in-state sounds reasonable, the broader picture reveals a significant gap: graduates here earn less than half what peers at nearby Monroe Community College make ($28,070 vs. $85,061).

The debt load of $14,860 translates to a manageable 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, and two-thirds of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves students who need affordable pathways into law enforcement or corrections. However, the first-year earnings barely exceed $28,000—tight for covering living expenses while making loan payments, even on modest debt.

The real concern is what this certificate delivers compared to alternatives within driving distance. Several SUNY community colleges in upstate New York produce graduates earning two to three times more with similar credentials. If your child is set on criminal justice in the Rochester area, this certificate won't prevent them from entering the field, but it appears to lead to lower-paid positions than what peers at regional community colleges secure. Investigate whether those higher-earning programs offer different specializations or connections to better-paying agencies.