Criminal Justice and Corrections at CUNY Hostos Community College

CUNY Hostos graduates face a rocky start, earning just $28,343 in their first year—well below both the state median ($31,480) and national median ($33,269) for criminal justice programs. Among New York's 54 criminal justice programs, this ranks only in the 40th percentile. However, the debt burden is exceptionally low at $6,256, less than half the state median and far below the national average of $14,230. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates owe less than three months' salary.

The real story emerges over time: earnings jump 52% by year four to $43,050, surpassing even the state's top-performing programs at graduation. This trajectory suggests Hostos graduates may start in entry-level positions but advance into better-paying roles relatively quickly. For a predominantly Pell-receiving student body (63%), this combination of minimal debt and strong earnings growth represents genuine economic mobility.

The tradeoff is clear: your child will likely earn less initially than peers at programs like SUNY Broome or Genesee Community College. But with minimal debt and strong earning potential by year four, Hostos offers a financially sustainable path into criminal justice careers—particularly valuable for families who can't afford to take on significant debt while their graduate establishes themselves in the field.