Criminal Justice and Corrections at Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College graduates from this criminal justice certificate earn $64,741 within a year—well above the national median of $48,388 and placing this program in the 86th percentile nationally. However, within Wisconsin, where technical colleges consistently produce strong criminal justice outcomes, it lands closer to the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. Gateway and Waukesha County grads earn roughly $5,000-9,000 more annually, though Fox Valley still outperforms the state median of $60,737.

The bigger concern here is the debt load. At $22,250, students borrow significantly more than both the national median ($13,355) and Wisconsin median ($18,750) for this credential—placing it in the 95th percentile for debt nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34 remains manageable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans in under five months of gross income. But parents should ask why this certificate costs nearly $10,000 more than the national typical debt when Gateway produces better-earning graduates at similar or potentially lower borrowing levels.

This program delivers solid earnings compared to national criminal justice certificates, but the premium price tag is harder to justify when comparing it to other Wisconsin technical colleges. If Fox Valley offers specific conveniences—location, scheduling, or specific law enforcement partnerships—the extra debt might be worth it. Otherwise, exploring comparable programs at Gateway or Waukesha County could deliver better earnings with less financial burden.