Criminal Justice and Corrections at Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro

This program's graduates earn well below mainland standards but rank among the strongest criminal justice programs in Puerto Rico—a critical distinction that reveals both the value and the constraint. First-year earnings of $19,932 trail the national median by nearly $18,000, yet this same figure places graduates at the 80th percentile within Puerto Rico, where the typical criminal justice degree yields just $15,914. The $14,750 in debt is relatively modest and manageable given Puerto Rico's lower cost of living.

The 44% earnings growth to $28,770 by year four is encouraging and outpaces what most Puerto Rico criminal justice programs deliver. Among the island's top five programs, only NUC University produces meaningfully higher earners. For families planning to stay in Puerto Rico's job market—where law enforcement and corrections salaries reflect the local economy—this represents solid preparation at a reasonable price. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is workable when you're not comparing against mainland opportunities.

The calculation changes dramatically if mainland employment is the goal. The same earnings that place graduates near the top in San Juan would rank in just the 5th percentile nationally, where most criminal justice graduates earn $37,856. For students committed to building careers in Puerto Rico's justice system, this program offers clear value within its market. For those eyeing federal agencies or mainland departments, the earnings gap suggests exploring other paths or additional credentials.