Criminal Justice and Corrections at Emporia State University

Emporia State's criminal justice program places graduates near the bottom of Kansas options, with starting salaries around $36,000—about $3,300 below the state median and roughly $6,000 below what graduates from Fort Hays State or Washburn typically earn. While the debt load of $23,480 is manageable compared to national averages, you're paying in-state tuition for below-average results in a state where better alternatives exist.

The earnings trajectory tells an important part of the story: graduates see minimal income growth over their first four years, moving from $36,000 to just $37,300. In criminal justice careers, where experience and professional development typically drive salary increases, this flat trajectory is concerning. The program ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten Kansas criminal justice programs deliver better earning outcomes.

For a family considering this investment, the math isn't terrible—the debt-to-earnings ratio suggests the loans are serviceable—but why settle for middle-of-the-pack when Fort Hays State offers significantly better outcomes at similar costs? If your child is committed to staying in Kansas and pursuing this field, explore the programs where graduates actually advance financially. The difference between $37,000 and $42,000 starting salary compounds over a career in ways that justify a more selective choice.