Analysis
Similar criminal justice certificate programs in Texas typically produce first-year earnings around $55,000—solidly above the national median of $48,000 and within range of the state's better-performing programs. The estimated debt of $13,925, also based on comparable Texas programs, translates to a quarter of first-year earnings, which represents a manageable burden for graduates entering law enforcement or corrections work.
What's harder to gauge is where exactly Cisco College falls within Texas's wide spectrum of outcomes. The state's top programs—like Laredo College and Lamar Institute of Technology—show graduates earning $70,000-plus in their first year, suggesting strong regional employer connections or specialized training pathways. Without Cisco's own reported data, you're essentially betting that this program performs somewhere near the Texas middle rather than lagging behind.
For parents of students interested in criminal justice careers, the debt picture looks reasonable, but the earnings uncertainty matters. If your child has options at schools with verified outcomes—particularly ones showing higher earnings—that transparency carries value. If Cisco offers geographic convenience, smaller class sizes, or a clear pipeline to local agencies, those factors could offset the data gap. Just know you're working with peer-program estimates rather than proven outcomes from this specific certificate.
Where Cisco College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (48 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,110 | $55,230* | — | $13,925* | — | |
| $3,300 | $72,049* | $68,280 | —* | — | |
| $2,844 | $71,733* | $68,790 | $15,318* | 0.21 | |
| $1,834 | $67,797* | — | —* | — | |
| $4,580 | $61,585* | — | —* | — | |
| $2,546 | $61,086* | $45,097 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $48,388* | — | $13,355* | 0.28 |
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 Cisco College, approximately 24% 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 15 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.