Criminal Justice and Corrections at Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies

Indiana Tech's criminal justice program carries a significant financial burden—$35,511 in median debt—that exceeds both the state median ($24,828) and national benchmark ($26,130) by roughly 40%. While graduates see steady earnings growth from $36,510 to $42,607 over four years, these figures lag behind most in-state alternatives. Indiana grads from Vincennes University, for instance, start at $46,644, a full $10,000 higher with substantially less debt. The program ranks in just the 40th percentile among Indiana criminal justice programs, meaning six out of ten comparable programs deliver better earnings outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.97 is manageable on paper—graduates aren't underwater—but it's tighter than ideal when you consider that over half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting limited family financial resources. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, though the pattern is consistent with what you'd expect from a private institution serving a working-class student body in a field that typically starts with modest public-sector salaries.

For parents, the question is straightforward: is the Indiana Tech credential worth paying a premium for? Given the earnings data, probably not. Public alternatives like Vincennes offer better starting salaries at lower debt levels, making them safer bets for students entering law enforcement or corrections careers.