Criminal Justice and Corrections at Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta's Criminal Justice program starts graduates at just $27,715—nearly $10,000 below both the national and Georgia medians, placing it in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. However, the trajectory tells a more complete story: earnings jump 51% to $41,874 by year four, ultimately surpassing both state and national benchmarks. The $27,000 debt load equals nearly a full year's starting salary, but becomes more manageable as earnings accelerate.

This is fundamentally a program where patience matters. While top Georgia programs like Herzing ($67,229) and Reinhardt ($62,019) deliver immediate returns, Clark Atlanta serves a different population—69% of students receive Pell grants—and the earnings pattern reflects a slower climb rather than an immediate payoff. By year four, graduates are earning competitive salaries, suggesting the program builds toward roles that require experience or additional credentials beyond the bachelor's degree.

For families comfortable with modest starting salaries in public service or entry-level corrections work, this path can work—especially if you're committed to the Atlanta area where the job market supports that mid-career growth. But if your child needs strong earnings immediately after graduation to manage debt payments, other Georgia programs deliver significantly better starting positions.