Criminal Justice and Corrections at Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs

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.