Location: Fitchburg, MA•In-State Tuition: $11,046•Out-of-State Tuition: $17,126•Admission Rate: 90%•Avg SAT: 1114
Median Earnings (1yr)
$43,418
81st percentile
60th percentile in Massachusetts
Median Debt
$26,000
At national median
D/E Ratio: 0.60 ManageableSample: 72 graduates

Analysis

Fitchburg State's criminal justice program produces graduates who earn notably more than the national average—ranking in the 81st percentile nationally—while keeping debt manageable at $26,000. Starting at $43,418 and climbing to $52,693 by year four represents solid 21% growth, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 means graduates can realistically manage repayment on a law enforcement or corrections salary.

The Massachusetts context adds an interesting wrinkle. At the 60th percentile statewide, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack among 27 Massachusetts options—trailing schools like Northeastern and Salem State but still outpacing the state median. For a school with a 90% admission rate, this represents solid execution: your child gets accessible entry to a program that delivers above-average outcomes without the premium price tag of more selective institutions.

The practical reality here is straightforward. Criminal justice careers typically offer stability rather than high salaries, and this program prepares graduates for exactly that trajectory. The earnings growth through year four suggests graduates are advancing in their careers, not hitting immediate ceiling. For families concerned about debt burden in a public service field, Fitchburg State strikes a reasonable balance between cost and career preparation.

Where Fitchburg State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Fitchburg State UniversityOther criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Fitchburg State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Fitchburg State University earns $43k — 81th percentile among criminal justice and corrections bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Fitchburg State University$43,418$52,693+21%
Endicott College$38,900$62,266+60%
Springfield College$41,441$60,848+47%
Springfield College-Regional Online and Continuing Education$41,441$60,848+47%
Westfield State University$42,228$60,570+43%

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (27 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg$11,046$43,418$52,693$26,0000.60
Northeastern UniversityBoston$63,141$51,363$59,550$22,8090.44
Nichols CollegeDudley$40,375$45,774$52,867$27,0000.59
Fisher CollegeBoston$35,013$45,695—$27,0000.59
Curry CollegeMilton$46,220$45,103$51,527$25,0000.55
Salem State UniversitySalem$11,978$44,812$51,926$26,2200.59
National Median—$37,856—$26,1300.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fitchburg State University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 72 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.