Criminal Justice and Corrections at Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College's criminal justice certificate commands premium pricing but delivers premium results—particularly impressive given that most programs in this field struggle with low earnings. At $73,818 in first-year earnings, graduates earn 53% more than the national median and rank in the 95th percentile nationally. The $18,750 debt load is higher than typical for certificates, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25, graduates can comfortably manage repayment while earning solid middle-class wages.

The Wisconsin context reveals why this matters: Gateway ranks at the 60th percentile statewide and outpaces the state median by over $13,000. Looking at the top Wisconsin programs, Gateway performs better than the state median but trails leaders like Waukesha County Technical College by about $5,000 annually. Still, these earnings would typically require a bachelor's degree in this field. The slight earnings dip from year one to year four (-1%) suggests graduates may be entering positions that plateau early, though they're starting from a strong baseline.

For parents weighing certificate programs, this represents a practical path to stable employment without the time and cost commitment of a four-year degree. The debt is manageable, the earnings are substantial for the credential level, and graduates enter a field with clear job opportunities—likely in corrections facilities or law enforcement support roles where Wisconsin's public sector offers competitive compensation.