Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Charter Oak State College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$68,956

95th percentile

Median Debt

$23,000

12% below national median

Analysis

Charter Oak State College's online criminal justice program reports first-year earnings of $68,956—roughly 73% higher than Connecticut's median for the field and nearly double the national benchmark. Among Connecticut's 13 criminal justice programs, this places graduates in the 95th percentile, well ahead of programs at Post University ($49,449) and Quinnipiac ($41,989). At $23,000, the debt level sits just below state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 that suggests manageable repayment.

The caveat here matters: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making it vulnerable to outliers. Charter Oak serves working adults through a flexible, competency-based model, so these graduates may already be employed in law enforcement or corrections roles where the degree unlocks salary bumps or promotions. That could explain earnings that significantly outpace traditional campus programs.

If your student fits this profile—already working in a related field, needing a credential to advance—this program's combination of flexibility, moderate debt, and strong reported outcomes deserves serious consideration. But if they're starting fresh without existing connections in criminal justice, recognize these numbers may not reflect what a typical new graduate experiences. The 38% Pell grant rate suggests Charter Oak serves many non-traditional students successfully, but verify whether their career circumstances align with your child's situation.

Where Charter Oak State College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Charter Oak State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Connecticut

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Connecticut (13 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Charter Oak State CollegeNew Britain	$8,506	$68,956	—	$23,000	0.33
Post UniversityWaterbury	$17,100	$49,449	$45,015	$33,250	0.67
Quinnipiac UniversityHamden	$53,090	$41,989	$50,340	$27,000	0.64
Albertus Magnus CollegeNew Haven	$39,924	$41,520	$50,913	$40,000	0.96
Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield	$48,460	$41,113	$53,931	$27,000	0.66
University of HartfordWest Hartford	$47,647	$38,309	$49,821	$26,563	0.69
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

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 Charter Oak State College, approximately 38% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.