Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herzing University-New Orleans

Herzing's criminal justice program produces Louisiana's highest-earning graduates in this field—by a substantial margin. At $67,229 one year out, graduates earn double Louisiana's typical criminal justice salary and nearly $28,000 more than LSU-Alexandria, the next-highest earner. Among criminal justice programs nationwide, this ranks in the 95th percentile, suggesting Herzing may have distinctive employer pipelines or curriculum focus that translates to stronger starting positions.

The debt picture supports investment at this level: $28,399 represents just 42% of first-year earnings, below both state and national medians. For a school serving primarily Pell Grant students (72%), this debt burden is manageable given the earning power. However, there's a concerning pattern where salaries drop to $58,875 by year four—a 12% decline that's unusual for any field and suggests graduates may struggle with retention or career progression after strong starts.

The earnings drop matters. While that $58,875 still outperforms Louisiana's criminal justice median by 76%, the trajectory raises questions about job stability or whether initial placements prove sustainable. Parents should verify what drives those first-year results—specialized federal positions, certain law enforcement roles, or connections that might not guarantee long-term growth. Despite this caveat, starting at nearly $70,000 with under $30,000 in debt represents exceptional value compared to Louisiana alternatives, particularly if your student can leverage that strong launch into stable career advancement.