Criminal Justice and Corrections at Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa

This certificate program's graduates earn $28,070 one year after completion—less than half what typical Wisconsin criminal justice certificate holders make ($60,737 state median). Even more concerning, it ranks in just the 10th percentile among Wisconsin programs, meaning nine out of ten similar programs in the state deliver significantly better outcomes. Nearby technical colleges like Gateway and Waukesha County consistently produce graduates earning $65,000-$74,000 in this field, more than double what Bryant & Stratton graduates report.

The debt load itself isn't catastrophic at $14,860, but when paired with earnings barely above $28,000, it creates a challenging repayment scenario. While more than half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the school serves economically vulnerable students who need strong outcomes, the program delivers returns far below what Wisconsin's technical college system offers for the same credential. The moderate sample size gives some confidence in these numbers.

For families considering this program, the comparison is stark: you could pursue the same certificate at a Wisconsin technical college and potentially earn $40,000+ more annually. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling constraints that rule out alternatives like Gateway or Waukesha County Technical College, those institutions represent substantially better investments in criminal justice education.