Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herzing University-Birmingham

Herzing University-Birmingham's criminal justice graduates start with exceptional first-year earnings of $67,229—ranking in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Alabama programs. That's nearly $31,000 above the state median and roughly $10,000 more than Columbia Southern University, the state's next-highest earner in this field. With debt below $30,000, that initial year looks remarkably strong.

The complication arrives by year four, when median earnings drop to $58,875—a 12% decline that's unusual for any program. While still competitive with Alabama's top-performing schools at that point, this pattern suggests graduates may be landing strong entry positions that don't translate into sustained career progression. It's worth understanding whether this reflects the typical trajectory in whatever specific roles these graduates fill, or if it signals job instability. The moderate sample size adds some uncertainty, but the pattern is notable enough to investigate.

For families comfortable with roughly $28,000 in debt, the immediate financial return is compelling—that 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio means the first year's salary is more than double the debt load. The key question is whether the career path matches your child's longer-term goals, particularly given that earnings trajectory. If they're targeting specific law enforcement or corrections roles where Herzing has clear placement success, this could be an efficient path into those positions.