Analysis
Oregon's criminal justice programs cluster tightly around $40,000 in first-year earnings, with this program's estimated outcomes landing right at the state median—though Portland State graduates start about $5,000 higher. The estimated $27,000 debt load sits slightly above Oregon's typical $24,000 for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that's manageable but not particularly attractive.
Similar programs nationally suggest earnings that barely keep pace with what many entry-level criminal justice positions require in terms of education versus compensation. The field is known for consistent but modest salaries, and these estimates reflect that reality. With one-third of students receiving Pell grants, the debt burden matters considerably for families without significant financial cushion.
The practical question is whether this investment makes sense given Oregon's competitive law enforcement and corrections job market. If your child has clear career goals in this field and Bushnell offers specific advantages—strong local agency connections, internship pipelines, or values alignment—the numbers work well enough. But if they're exploring criminal justice as a general interest, the estimated financial picture suggests they could achieve similar outcomes at lower cost elsewhere in Oregon, particularly at the public universities where reported data shows comparable earnings with potentially less debt.
Where Bushnell University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,740 | $40,553* | — | $27,000* | — | |
| $11,238 | $45,401* | $46,577 | $26,641* | 0.59 | |
| $12,093 | $40,553* | $47,457 | $22,000* | 0.54 | |
| $11,025 | $40,289* | $51,212 | $24,000* | 0.60 | |
| National Median | — | $37,856* | — | $26,130* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates
Financial Examiners
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bushnell University, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.