Criminal Justice and Corrections at Hardin-Simmons University

Hardin-Simmons University's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning slightly above the Texas median ($39,445 versus $35,862), placing it solidly in the middle of the pack among the state's 62 programs. With manageable debt of $28,000—just 71% of first-year earnings—and strong earnings growth to $52,024 by year four, the financial fundamentals look reasonable for this field. However, the small sample size here means these figures could shift considerably as more graduate data becomes available.

What's notable is the 32% earnings bump from year one to year four, suggesting graduates find career traction after initial entry-level positions. That said, this program doesn't compete with Texas heavyweights like Wayland Baptist ($53,038) or Texas A&M-Central Texas ($45,976). Hardin-Simmons graduates start closer to the state average, which reflects criminal justice's generally modest pay scale rather than a weakness specific to this program.

For families considering this accessible private university (97% admission rate), the key question is whether the Abilene-based education justifies the cost premium over public alternatives. The debt level is reasonable but not exceptional, and graduates are landing squarely in the middle of Texas criminal justice outcomes. It's a viable path into the field, just not one that delivers standout earning power or exceptional return on investment.