Criminal Justice and Corrections at College of Southern Nevada

College of Southern Nevada's Criminal Justice program carries minimal debt ($6,687) but delivers first-year earnings that lag significantly behind the national median by roughly $7,000. Here's the paradox: while this ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile within Nevada—suggesting that criminal justice starting salaries across the state are simply lower than elsewhere, not that CSN's program specifically underperforms.

The real story emerges over time. Earnings climb 38% by year four, reaching $36,331. That growth rate outpaces what most associate programs deliver and suggests graduates find pathways to better-paying positions, likely in corrections, court administration, or law enforcement roles that value experience. Combined with debt that's less than half the national median for this program, the financial risk stays contained even as earnings remain modest.

For Nevada residents planning to work in-state criminal justice roles, this program offers a low-cost entry point to a field where advancement matters more than starting salary. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 means repayment should be manageable even on that initial $26,301 salary. Just understand that criminal justice careers in Nevada generally pay less than the national average—this program won't change that fundamental reality, but it won't burden your child with debt while they navigate it.