Criminal Justice and Corrections at Cumberland University

Cumberland's criminal justice program produces first-year earnings of $45,223—substantially above both the Tennessee median ($35,917) and national median ($37,856) for this degree. That's a meaningful distinction in a field where many programs struggle to reach $40,000. The program ranks in the 91st percentile nationally and 80th within Tennessee, placing it behind only Bethel University among state competitors with reported data.

The debt picture is less clear-cut. The estimated $34,965 in borrowing—based on similar programs at Cumberland—exceeds both state and national typical debt loads for this major by roughly $8,000. That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.77, higher than ideal but still manageable given the strong starting salary. The concerning element is the minimal earnings growth: just $2,465 from year one to year four. Criminal justice careers often follow structured pay scales, but 6% growth over four years suggests limited upward mobility in the roles graduates secure.

For parents, the calculation hinges on whether the premium earnings justify potentially higher debt. This program appears to position graduates better than most Tennessee alternatives, but the debt estimate introduces uncertainty. If actual borrowing is closer to state norms for this major, the investment looks considerably stronger. The strong initial placement suggests Cumberland has solid connections with employers, which matters enormously in a field where who you know often determines which agency hires you.