Criminal Justice and Corrections at Davenport University

Michigan's criminal justice associate programs show surprisingly strong earning potential, with similar programs statewide producing a median first-year salary of $44,635—well above the national figure of $33,269. That's the good news. The challenge is that Davenport's estimated debt load of $22,119 runs significantly higher than both the state median ($13,506) and national median ($14,230) for this credential, suggesting borrowing costs here may exceed what peers typically incur.

The half-to-one debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's worth comparing against the state's top performers. Graduates from Oakland Community College and Northwestern Michigan College in this field are earning $50,000-plus in their first year while likely carrying less debt. Given Davenport's nearly open admission rate and tuition structure as a private institution, the premium you'd pay doesn't appear justified by stronger earnings prospects—peer programs suggest similar or better outcomes at lower cost.

For families weighing this program, the determining factor should be comparing actual aid packages and total costs against nearby community colleges offering criminal justice. If Davenport's net price after aid comes in comparable to public alternatives, it could work. But paying substantially more for what similar programs deliver doesn't make financial sense when Michigan offers dozens of cheaper pathways to the same career outcomes.