Criminal Justice and Corrections at DeVry University-Virginia

DeVry's criminal justice program in Arlington carries a troubling financial burden: graduates leave with $55,000 in debt—more than double the national median and roughly twice what Virginia students typically borrow for this degree. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.28, meaning graduates owe about 15 months of their first-year salary. While earnings here ($43,091 initially, growing to $46,188) beat national averages and place the program in the 60th percentile statewide, they're comparable to what graduates earn from considerably less expensive Virginia schools like George Mason and Averett.

The core issue is price, not outcomes. Students here borrow nearly $28,000 more than the Virginia median while earning similar first-year salaries to peers at public institutions with lower sticker prices. The 100% admission rate suggests accessibility is the draw, but for a field where many entry-level positions pay in the low-to-mid $40,000s, carrying debt exceeding annual salary creates years of financial strain.

Parents should look hard at in-state alternatives. George Mason delivers nearly identical earnings ($43,612) but typically with far less debt through in-state tuition advantages. If DeVry's flexibility or support services address specific needs, the premium might make sense—but financially, Virginia offers clearer paths to the same career outcomes without the debt burden.