Criminal Justice and Corrections at Dickinson State University

Compared to other criminal justice programs in North Dakota, Dickinson State's estimated first-year earnings of $41,071 place it near the state median, though below what graduates from Minot State and the University of North Dakota typically earn. The estimated debt of $23,125 is actually lower than both the state and national medians for this credential, which matters when you're evaluating return on investment. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, graduates would owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary—manageable by most standards, particularly for a field where earnings tend to grow with experience and advancement into supervisory roles.

The challenge is that these figures come from comparable programs across North Dakota, not Dickinson State's own graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about what your student would actually experience. Criminal justice careers vary widely depending on whether graduates enter corrections, law enforcement, or administrative positions, and local job markets in western North Dakota may differ from statewide patterns. The lower debt estimate suggests reasonable affordability, but the earnings spread among North Dakota programs—ranging from $38,000 to nearly $46,000—shows that institutional reputation and connections can significantly impact outcomes.

If your student is committed to criminal justice and values staying in North Dakota, this program appears financially viable based on peer schools. However, reaching out to Dickinson State's career services to understand their specific placement rates and employer relationships would help compensate for the lack of graduate-level data.