Criminal Justice and Corrections at Century College

Century College graduates enter the workforce earning $54,174—63% above the national median for criminal justice associate's programs and ranking in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's exceptional performance for a community college program. The $19,366 in typical debt is manageable, representing just 36% of first-year earnings, and sits well below the national median debt load for this field.

The picture becomes more nuanced when viewed through a Minnesota lens. Criminal justice programs across the state perform unusually well, with the state median already 53% above the national figure. Century ranks in the 60th percentile among Minnesota schools—solid, but not exceptional locally. The nearby competition is tight: Minnesota North and North Hennepin produce graduates earning slightly more, though the differences are marginal. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 7% income decline from year one to year four, dropping to $50,245. This backward slide suggests either career path challenges or that many graduates shift away from law enforcement roles over time.

For Minnesota families, this program delivers strong immediate outcomes at a reasonable price. The national comparison looks stellar, but remember that Minnesota's criminal justice job market appears unusually robust overall. The earnings decline warrants attention—ask about career placement specifics and whether graduates tend to stay in their initial roles.