Criminal Justice and Corrections at Grand View University

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.