Criminal Justice and Corrections at Freed-Hardeman University

Based on comparable criminal justice programs across Tennessee, this bachelor's degree produces first-year earnings around $36,000—slightly below the national median but typical for the state. What's more concerning is the estimated debt load of nearly $35,000, which sits well above both Tennessee's median ($26,471) and the national median ($26,130) for these programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio near 1.0, graduates would be looking at a full year's salary in loans, creating a tight financial squeeze in entry-level criminal justice roles.

The earnings estimates align with what most Tennessee programs deliver, but several schools in the state—including Bethel University and Cumberland University—report significantly higher first-year earnings in the $45,000-$54,000 range. That gap matters when you're carrying above-average debt. Criminal justice careers often start modestly, whether in corrections, probation, or law enforcement, and the field typically rewards experience over credentials. Freed-Hardeman's 91% admission rate and modest academic profile suggest it serves a broad student base, but the estimated debt burden doesn't position graduates competitively.

For parents weighing this program, the key question is whether the additional debt justifies choosing Freed-Hardeman over lower-cost alternatives. Community college-to-public university pathways in Tennessee could deliver similar earnings with substantially less debt. If this school offers specific career connections or mission alignment that matter to your family, factor those in—but financially, the estimated numbers suggest graduates will face a longer road to breaking even than at peer institutions.