Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herkimer County Community College

The small sample size here demands caution, but the earnings trajectory raises real questions. Herkimer graduates start at $37,597—comfortably above both the New York median ($31,480) and national average ($33,269) for this credential. However, by year four, earnings drop to $29,775, a 21% decline that suggests many graduates aren't advancing into better-paying positions within the criminal justice field.

Among New York's 54 programs, Herkimer sits at the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most in-state competitors on initial earnings. The $12,000 debt load is manageable and below both state and national medians. Yet the earnings decline is puzzling—whether it reflects job turnover, career changes, or local economic conditions isn't clear from the data. For context, the state's top-performing programs like SUNY Broome ($40,721) show stronger starting numbers, though we don't know if their graduates face similar earnings patterns over time.

For families, the modest debt makes this a relatively low-risk investment, especially for students who need to stay close to home. But the earnings drop-off suggests graduates should plan to either advance quickly within their organizations or pursue additional credentials. Given the thin data, talk to current students and recent alumni about actual career paths before committing.