Criminal Justice and Corrections at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg's criminal justice program starts graduates at just $35,000—below both the national and Pennsylvania medians—but delivers something unusual: a 55% earnings jump by year four. That trajectory lifts typical mid-career earnings to $54,000, well above what most criminal justice graduates in Pennsylvania see at that stage. However, early-career finances will be tight, particularly for the 40% of students here receiving Pell grants who may have limited family support during those lean first years.

The $26,888 in typical debt sits right at state and national averages, creating a manageable but not comfortable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 in year one. What matters here is whether families can weather that initial period while the career gains traction. The strong growth pattern suggests graduates are accessing positions with better advancement potential—perhaps moving from entry-level correctional or security roles into positions requiring experience. The 40th percentile ranking among Pennsylvania programs reflects that challenging start rather than the ultimate trajectory.

This program makes sense for students with family support or minimal living expenses who can afford patience while building experience. If your child needs to be financially independent immediately after graduation or will graduate with additional private loans beyond the median, the slow start becomes riskier. The payoff comes, but not quickly enough for everyone's circumstances.