Location: Spokane, WA•In-State Tuition: $53,500•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1316
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,020
Est. from WA median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (261 programs)

Analysis

Comparable criminal justice programs in Washington suggest first-year earnings around $41,000—right at the state median but below what Seattle University graduates typically achieve. With an estimated $27,000 in debt, this represents a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, four years out, when earnings climb to just over $60,000, the financial picture improves considerably, suggesting this field rewards persistence rather than offering immediate payoff.

What complicates the calculation is that these estimates draw from just five similar programs statewide (and national debt figures from 261 programs), making it harder to know whether Gonzaga's specific outcomes match these benchmarks. The university's selective profile—with SAT scores averaging 1316 and only 13% of students on Pell grants—suggests a different student population than many criminal justice programs serve, which could push actual outcomes higher or lower than peer averages indicate.

For parents evaluating a $27,000 investment in a field where national bachelor's earnings typically hover around $38,000, the key question is whether the degree serves as a stepping stone to law school, federal positions, or management roles where earnings grow substantially. If your child plans to enter entry-level law enforcement or corrections work immediately after graduation, the debt load is reasonable but the earnings trajectory may disappoint without strategic career planning.

Where Gonzaga University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Gonzaga University (estimated ±10%)Other criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Gonzaga University—$60,455—
Washington State University$41,020$55,527+35%
Central Washington University$44,172$53,330+21%
University of Washington-Seattle Campus$40,669$49,755+22%
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus$40,669$49,755+22%

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Washington (12 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Gonzaga UniversitySpokane$53,500$41,020*$60,455$27,000*—
Seattle UniversitySeattle$54,285$51,100*—$21,247*0.42
Central Washington UniversityEllensburg$9,192$44,172*$53,330$21,954*0.50
Washington State UniversityPullman$12,997$41,020*$55,527$21,577*0.53
University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle$12,643$40,669*$49,755$15,269*0.38
University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma$12,817$40,669*$49,755$15,269*0.38
National Median—$37,856*—$26,130*0.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Gonzaga University, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.