Criminal Justice and Corrections at County College of Morris

County College of Morris graduates start well behind the pack but make up significant ground. First-year earnings of $23,024 rank in just the 5th percentile nationally and bottom quarter within New Jersey—notably trailing nearby community colleges like Middlesex ($32,712) and Sussex County ($32,079) by $9,000-10,000. This matters because those crucial early months often determine career trajectory in criminal justice fields.

The program's saving grace is exceptional earnings growth: graduates see a 61% jump to $37,004 by year four, eventually exceeding both state and national medians. Debt remains manageable at $9,040—about $5,000 below typical NJ criminal justice programs. That low debt burden means graduates can weather the difficult first year without crushing payment obligations.

For parents, the central question is whether their child can sustain themselves during that first year on roughly $1,900 monthly before taxes. Students living at home or with significant family support might navigate this successfully and benefit from the strong earnings trajectory. But those needing immediate financial independence should look at the five higher-earning programs in New Jersey, where starting salaries exceed $30,000 and wouldn't require such a long runway to financial stability.