Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Indiana University-East

Median Earnings (1yr)

$45,204

91st percentile

60th percentile in Indiana

Median Debt

$28,686

10% above national median

Analysis

Indiana University-East's Criminal Justice program produces graduates who immediately out-earn 91% of similar programs nationwide—a remarkable outcome that deserves attention. With first-year earnings of $45,204 against debt of $28,686, graduates face a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they could theoretically pay off loans in about eight months of gross income. The debt load itself sits below the 75th percentile nationally, so students aren't borrowing excessively for these outcomes.

The complication is geography and trajectory. Within Indiana, this program lands squarely in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, suggesting the strong national ranking reflects the state's generally robust criminal justice salaries rather than exceptional program performance. More concerning is the earnings decline to $44,403 by year four—one of the few weak spots in an otherwise solid profile. This likely reflects the reality that criminal justice careers often start strong but require additional credentials or career pivots for advancement.

For families weighing this against other Indiana options, the math still works. While Calumet College and Vincennes University graduates earn $10,000+ more initially, IU-East's combination of reasonable debt and strong starting salary makes it a defensible choice, particularly for students who value the regional university experience. Just ensure your child understands that career growth may require strategic planning beyond the bachelor's degree.

Where Indiana University-East Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Indiana University-East graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Indiana University-East	$45,204	$44,403	-2%
Oakland City University	$46,038	$59,489	+29%
Indiana University-Bloomington	$35,572	$51,792	+46%
University of Indianapolis	$44,418	$50,758	+14%
Ball State University	$39,991	$47,500	+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (28 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Indiana University-EastRichmond	$8,179	$45,204	$44,403	$28,686	0.63
Calumet College of Saint JosephWhiting	$22,650	$55,587	—	$23,856	0.43
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$46,644	$46,026	$21,030	0.45
Oakland City UniversityOakland City	$27,150	$46,038	$59,489	$24,657	0.54
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette	$10,110	$45,984	$43,072	$40,244	0.88
University of IndianapolisIndianapolis	$36,136	$44,418	$50,758	$26,324	0.59
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Indiana University-East, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 64 graduates with reported earnings and 74 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.