Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degree) at Kent State University at Geauga

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,497

Est. from OH median (16 programs)

Median Debt

$19,748

39% above national median

Analysis

This program's debt load of $19,748 sits well above the Ohio median of $16,799 for criminal justice associate degrees, while projected earnings hover right at the state average. Based on comparable programs across Ohio, graduates can expect to earn around $38,497 in their first year—which translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, meaning roughly half a year's salary goes toward paying off loans. That's manageable but not exceptional, especially when you consider that several Ohio University campuses consistently produce graduates earning $44,000 or more in similar programs with comparable debt levels.

What's puzzling here is the reported earnings dip at the four-year mark to $36,961, suggesting this field may not offer the steady wage growth parents typically hope for. Criminal justice careers often require additional credentials or experience to advance beyond entry-level corrections or security positions, which could explain the plateau. Nationally, this program performs slightly above the median for earnings but carries more debt than three-quarters of similar programs elsewhere.

For families weighing this investment, the question becomes whether an associate degree from Kent State Geauga justifies the premium debt when peer programs in Ohio—particularly the Ohio University regional campuses—appear to deliver better outcomes. If your student is committed to criminal justice, exploring those alternatives or considering whether a four-year degree might open better advancement opportunities deserves serious thought before committing to this path.

Where Kent State University at Geauga Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Kent State University at Geauga	—	$36,961	—
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus	$44,159	$46,411	+5%
Ohio University-Southern Campus	$44,159	$46,411	+5%
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus	$44,159	$46,411	+5%
Ohio University-Main Campus	$44,159	$46,411	+5%

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Criminal Justice and Corrections associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (57 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Kent State University at GeaugaBurton	$7,272	$38,497*	$36,961	$19,748	—
North Central State CollegeMansfield	$4,624	$47,397*	—	$10,782	0.23
Ohio University-Lancaster CampusLancaster	$6,178	$44,159*	$46,411	$13,500	0.31
Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusChillicothe	$6,178	$44,159*	$46,411	$13,500	0.31
Ohio University-Southern CampusIronton	$6,178	$44,159*	$46,411	$13,500	0.31
Ohio University-Main CampusAthens	$13,746	$44,159*	$46,411	$13,500	0.31
National Median	—	$33,269*	—	$14,230	0.43

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Kent State University at Geauga, approximately 27% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 16 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.