Criminal Justice and Corrections at Bunker Hill Community College

A debt load of around $15,000 might seem manageable for criminal justice training, but the four-year earnings figure tells a more sobering story. While similar programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings near $48,000, graduates from this specific program are actually earning just over $40,000 four years out—nearly $8,000 less than their starting point. That backward trajectory is unusual and concerning, suggesting either limited career advancement in the field or graduates struggling to find stable positions that utilize their credential.

Massachusetts has 18 programs in this field, and comparable programs in the state typically produce similar debt burdens around $20,000. The estimated debt here is somewhat lower, which helps the immediate affordability picture. However, the actual four-year earnings data from Bunker Hill's graduates tells you more than any estimate: students are not seeing income growth in the years after completing this certificate. Whether that reflects the broader challenges of entry-level criminal justice work or something specific to how this credential translates to employment is unclear.

Before committing, your child needs a concrete plan for how this certificate leads to a specific job with a clear salary range. The declining earnings pattern suggests that many graduates aren't finding that path, and a certificate alone may not provide sufficient differentiation in a crowded field.