Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

Median Earnings (1yr)

$38,817

56th percentile

40th percentile in Colorado

Median Debt

$50,705

94% above national median

Analysis

This criminal justice program saddles students with debt nearly twice the national average while delivering earnings that lag behind Colorado's median by $3,800. At Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, graduates owe $50,705—ranking in the bottom 5th percentile nationally for debt burden—yet earn just $38,817 in their first year, placing them in the 40th percentile among Colorado programs.

The debt load becomes particularly troubling when compared to in-state alternatives. Colorado State University Global graduates earn $61,786 with likely lower debt, while even Metropolitan State produces graduates earning $6,000 more annually. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.31, CTU-CS students face a significantly longer payoff period than peers at other Colorado schools, where the typical debt burden is half as much.

The flat earnings trajectory—actually declining slightly from year one to year four—compounds the debt problem. While 68% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves lower-income families, the financial outcome doesn't justify the investment. Colorado families have multiple in-state options that deliver better earnings with less debt, making this program difficult to recommend despite its above-average national earnings ranking.

Where Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs	$38,817	$38,416	-1%
Colorado State University Global	$61,786	$61,489	-0%
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	$45,814	$49,790	+9%
University of Northern Colorado	$38,422	$49,725	+29%
Metropolitan State University of Denver	$44,497	$48,873	+10%

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (9 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsColorado Springs	$12,760	$38,817	$38,416	$50,705	1.31
Colorado State University GlobalDenver	$8,400	$61,786	$61,489	$38,276	0.62
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver	$10,017	$45,814	$49,790	$22,250	0.49
Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver	$10,780	$44,497	$48,873	$26,130	0.59
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs	$9,712	$42,199	$47,815	$18,625	0.44
University of Northern ColoradoGreeley	$12,010	$38,422	$49,725	$18,568	0.48
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 Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, approximately 68% 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 515 graduates with reported earnings and 772 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.