Criminal Justice and Corrections at Carrington College-Mesa

The $30,388 median earnings from this certificate program underperform dramatically—falling 25% below even Arizona's state median and landing in just the 11th percentile nationally. When Arizona community colleges like Yavapai and Pima are placing graduates in the $53,000-$59,000 range for the same credential, this program's outcomes become hard to justify. Your child could earn $23,000 more annually with a certificate from Yavapai College rather than Carrington College-Mesa.

The debt load itself is reasonable at $8,481, creating a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, low debt doesn't fix the fundamental problem: these earnings barely exceed minimum wage work in many Arizona markets. For a family where 54% of students qualify for Pell grants, this represents a missed opportunity—investing time and money in a credential that doesn't meaningfully improve earning potential over entry-level alternatives.

If your child is interested in criminal justice, Arizona's community colleges offer the same certificate credential with vastly superior job placement outcomes. The difference isn't theoretical—it's an extra $20,000+ per year in take-home pay. Unless there are compelling logistical reasons to choose Carrington, this program's track record suggests looking elsewhere within Arizona's more affordable public system.