Criminal Justice and Corrections at Houston Christian University

A debt load of $28,000 against first-year earnings around $36,000 looks manageable on paper—that 0.78 ratio sits well within reasonable territory. But here's the catch: these figures come from broader patterns across Texas criminal justice programs, not actual outcomes from Houston Christian's graduates. Similar bachelor's programs in the state typically produce earnings in the mid-$30,000s, which tracks with the national median. The estimated debt also aligns closely with what's typical for this field.

What should concern you is the earnings ceiling visible among Texas programs with reported data. The top performers—places like Wayland Baptist and University of Phoenix—show graduates earning $45,000 to $53,000, suggesting there's substantial variation in outcomes across schools. Without knowing where Houston Christian's program actually falls in that range, you're making a decision with limited visibility. Criminal justice careers often require additional training or certifications beyond the bachelor's degree, which could mean more investment before reaching stable earnings.

The practical question: Can your family afford to take on roughly $28,000 in debt for a program where peer outcomes suggest starting salaries in the mid-to-upper $30,000s? If this debt is mostly federal loans at reasonable rates, it's workable. If you're considering private loans or your child needs to borrow more than the state median, the math gets tighter quickly, especially in a field where public sector salaries dominate.