Criminal Justice and Corrections at Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies

Central Methodist's criminal justice program hovers right around the Missouri median for earnings, but trails significantly behind the state's stronger performers. At $36,223 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $600 less than the typical Missouri criminal justice grad, and they're making roughly $10,000 less than peers at Park University or Columbia College who entered similar programs. The program ranks squarely in the middle—40th percentile in Missouri, 39th nationally—suggesting neither a standout nor a problematic outcome, just solidly average results.

The debt load of $26,000 is standard for the field, creating a 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable but not generous. Earnings do tick upward to $38,392 by year four, though that 6% growth barely keeps pace with inflation and doesn't narrow the gap with better-performing in-state options. For families prioritizing criminal justice careers in Missouri, the question becomes whether CMU's convenience or institutional fit justifies accepting middle-of-the-pack earnings when schools like Park or Columbia are producing graduates who earn 25-30% more in the same job market.

This is a workable option if CMU offers specific advantages like location or scheduling flexibility, but families should recognize they're choosing accessibility over earnings potential. The debt is reasonable enough that graduates won't be buried, but they also won't have the financial cushion that peers at stronger programs enjoy.