Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Grand View University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$45,175

91st percentile

60th percentile in Iowa

Median Debt

$26,485

1% above national median

Analysis

Grand View's criminal justice program earns graduates nearly $8,000 more than the typical program nationally—placing it in the 91st percentile among over 950 schools offering this degree. That's impressive performance for a program with a 98% admission rate. The $45,175 starting salary substantially outpaces both national and Iowa medians, and earnings climb to over $52,000 within four years. At $26,485 in debt, students graduate owing roughly half of their first-year salary, a manageable ratio that most financial experts consider sustainable.

The Iowa picture is more nuanced. While Grand View's graduates earn above the state median, they trail the top programs like Loras and University of Dubuque by a few thousand dollars annually. Still, ranking around the 60th percentile statewide means outperforming most in-state competitors, and the debt load is actually slightly lower than Iowa's median for this program.

For families concerned about ROI in a traditionally lower-paying field, this program delivers. Criminal justice degrees often struggle to justify their cost, but Grand View's combination of above-average earnings and controlled debt creates a workable financial path. The steady earnings growth suggests career progression rather than a ceiling, which matters in law enforcement and corrections careers where experience drives advancement.

Where Grand View University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Grand View University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Grand View University	$45,175	$52,195	+16%
University of Dubuque	$46,307	$55,013	+19%
Simpson College	$42,862	$49,733	+16%
Mount Mercy University	$34,824	$46,659	+34%
Buena Vista University	$37,641	$40,460	+7%

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Grand View UniversityDes Moines	$33,450	$45,175	$52,195	$26,485	0.59
Loras CollegeDubuque	$38,298	$47,413	—	$27,000	0.57
University of DubuqueDubuque	$40,065	$46,307	$55,013	$27,000	0.58
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls	$9,728	$43,748	—	$19,500	0.45
Simpson CollegeIndianola	$46,212	$42,862	$49,733	$27,000	0.63
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$42,735	—	$27,000	0.63
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

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 Grand View University, approximately 38% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 36 graduates with reported earnings and 36 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.