Criminal Justice and Corrections at Houston Community College

Houston Community College graduates earn $56,454 in their first year—$8,000 more than the national median for this credential and solidly above Texas's $55,230 median. That's respectable performance, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. However, by year four, earnings drop to $53,248, creating an unusual pattern where graduates actually see their income decline rather than grow. Compare this to top Texas programs at Laredo College and Lamar Institute, where graduates start around $72,000.

The debt load of $13,925 translates to a manageable 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio—you'd expect to pay about a quarter of your first-year salary toward this credential, which is reasonable. With 37% of students receiving Pell grants, HCC clearly serves working-class families looking for affordable career entry points. The certificate appears to open doors into steady employment quickly, likely in corrections or related fields.

The declining earnings trajectory is the puzzle here. It might reflect the realities of these career paths—initial hiring at decent wages but limited advancement, or high turnover leading graduates to different sectors over time. For families seeking a low-cost entry into criminal justice work with immediate decent pay, this works. Just understand you're looking at stable employment around $50,000-56,000 rather than a growing career trajectory, at least based on what the data shows through year four.