Criminal Justice and Corrections at Howard College

Howard College graduates enter correctional and law enforcement work earning just above Texas's median for criminal justice programs, though the small graduate pool (under 30 students) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. At around $34,000, first-year earnings exceed what typical Texas graduates in this field make by roughly $2,400, placing Howard in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt burden of $13,278 stays manageable—less than four months of earnings—which is critical for associate's degree holders entering public safety careers.

The slight earnings dip by year four raises questions about career progression or local job market constraints in the Big Spring area, though it's worth noting this pattern could reflect the program's limited sample size rather than a consistent trend. What matters more is the comparison to alternatives: Central Texas College and several Dallas-area community colleges place graduates into positions paying $4,000-$6,000 more annually. If your child can access those programs without relocating costs eating into the difference, they offer clearer advantages.

For families already in West Texas, Howard College provides a low-debt entry point into criminal justice work. The numbers work if staying local is the priority. If mobility is an option, the larger metro-area programs demonstrate stronger earning potential in their first year—when criminal justice salaries typically matter most.