Criminal Justice and Corrections at Concordia University-Saint Paul

Concordia-Saint Paul's criminal justice graduates start at $42,607—above the national median but trailing most Minnesota programs. While this places them in the 77th percentile nationally, it's only the 40th percentile within Minnesota, where programs at Herzing ($67,229) and Saint Mary's ($64,894) post significantly stronger outcomes. The $28,000 debt load is manageable at a 0.66 ratio to first-year earnings, though again, this is right at Minnesota's median rather than standing out.

What makes this program intriguing is the 50% earnings jump by year four, reaching $64,015—putting graduates squarely in line with Minnesota's top-performing programs after that initial catch-up period. This suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement, even if starting positions pay less than competitors'. For a family considering in-state options, that trajectory matters more than the starting figure.

The caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in this data—which means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few outliers. If your child is specifically targeting law enforcement or corrections in Minnesota, programs like Herzing or Metropolitan State offer more proven starting salaries. But if they're drawn to Concordia's environment and willing to work through entry-level positions, that four-year earnings growth suggests the credential eventually delivers comparable value.