Criminal Justice and Corrections at Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State's Criminal Justice program lands in an interesting spot: it earns well above national standards but carries higher debt than most Kansas alternatives. Graduates start at $42,428—ahead of 76% of similar programs nationally and outpacing the typical Kansas program by about $3,000. The $28,750 in median debt sits below the national norm but runs about 11% higher than what Kansas students typically carry for this degree. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68, graduates can realistically manage repayment, though they'll feel it more than peers at programs like Washburn or Wichita State who start with less debt.

The 9% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests steady progression rather than dramatic salary growth, which aligns with typical criminal justice career paths in Kansas. At 60th percentile statewide, Fort Hays performs solidly but doesn't dominate—several smaller Kansas schools post significantly higher earnings, though sample sizes and program focus likely vary considerably.

For families evaluating this program, the question comes down to whether those somewhat higher earnings justify the somewhat higher debt compared to other Kansas options. If your child wants a traditional campus experience at an accessible state school with reasonable class sizes and respectable outcomes, this delivers. But if minimizing debt is paramount, Wichita State offers comparable earnings with typically lower borrowing.