Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herzing University-Atlanta

Herzing University-Atlanta's criminal justice graduates earn $67,229 one year after graduation—nearly double the state median of $37,330 and the highest among Georgia programs. This places graduates in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, outperforming even the next-best Georgia school by over $5,000. With debt at $28,399 (below the state median), the initial financial picture is remarkably strong for a program serving a predominantly Pell-eligible student body.

The caveat is impossible to ignore: earnings drop 12% by year four to $58,875. This suggests graduates may start in higher-paying positions—possibly federal law enforcement or corporate security roles—that don't translate into long-term career advancement within the field. Even with this decline, four-year earnings still exceed what most Georgia criminal justice programs deliver in year one, and the manageable debt means graduates aren't financially trapped if they need to pivot careers.

For families concerned about return on investment, the numbers work. Your child would likely graduate earning more than 95% of their criminal justice peers nationwide while carrying less debt than average. Just understand that this program appears optimized for immediate job placement rather than a traditional law enforcement career ladder, where earnings typically grow over time.