Criminal Justice and Corrections at Community College of Philadelphia

Something troubling emerges in the earnings trajectory here: while similar criminal justice certificate programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $53,500, this program's own graduates report earning just $35,900 four years later—a significant decline rather than the growth you'd expect. That backward slide raises real questions about career sustainability or whether graduates are finding stable work in the field.

The estimated debt of $18,900 sits above the national median for these programs ($13,400), though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 would normally be manageable if earnings held steady. But with actual four-year earnings falling below $36,000, graduates face a tighter financial picture than the initial numbers suggest. For context, other Pennsylvania community colleges offering criminal justice certificates report significantly stronger outcomes—Montgomery County graduates earn $69,900, and Delaware County graduates earn $57,500 in their early careers.

The core concern isn't the certificate itself or the debt load in isolation—it's that downward earnings trend combined with above-average borrowing. Before committing, have a frank conversation about what specific careers this certificate prepares students for and whether those jobs offer stable employment in Philadelphia. The 53% Pell grant rate indicates this program serves many students counting on education to improve their economic prospects, which makes that earnings decline particularly worrisome.