Criminal Justice and Corrections at Keene State College

Keene State's Criminal Justice program lands squarely in the middle of New Hampshire's options—literally tied with the state median at $42,053—but outperforms three-quarters of similar programs nationally. For a field where starting salaries often hover in the mid-$30,000s, breaking $42,000 out of the gate puts graduates ahead of most peers nationwide, though they'll trail Southern New Hampshire and New England College grads by about $3,500 annually within their own state.

The $25,000 debt load creates a manageable financial picture, with graduates owing just over half their first-year earnings. That ratio improves as earnings climb 10% by year four to $46,417, putting borrowers on track to handle standard repayment without financial strain. Keene State also keeps debt slightly below both the national and state averages for this program, which matters in a career path that doesn't promise six-figure salaries.

The realistic assessment: this program won't catapult your child to the top of New Hampshire's criminal justice field, but it provides solid preparation at a reasonable cost. If they're committed to law enforcement or corrections work in New Hampshire, Keene State delivers competitive outcomes without the debt burden that could make those public-sector salaries feel inadequate. Just understand they're choosing steady, predictable returns over standout earnings potential.