Criminal Justice and Corrections at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's Criminal Justice program lands firmly in the middle of the pack within Georgia, ranking at the 40th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $35,266. That's about $2,000 below the state median and nearly $3,000 below the national benchmark—not a disaster, but also not competitive with the state's stronger programs. Thomas University graduates earn 50% more in their first year, while even the median Georgia criminal justice grad pulls ahead. The debt load of $32,375 is slightly higher than the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that means nearly a full year's salary goes toward what you borrowed.

The encouraging news is earnings growth: graduates see a 33% jump by year four, reaching $46,726. That's solid improvement and suggests the degree opens doors to career progression, likely as graduates gain experience in law enforcement or corrections roles. However, with a sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers could swing significantly year to year, making them less reliable predictors than data from larger programs.

For families paying Georgia Southern's relatively accessible tuition costs, this program won't derail your finances, but it's not maximizing value either. If your child is committed to criminal justice and Georgia Southern for other reasons—location, campus fit, admission certainty given the 90% acceptance rate—it's workable. But if earnings potential matters most, consider exploring why programs like Thomas University or Reinhardt achieve substantially better outcomes for similar career paths.