Criminal Justice and Corrections at Keystone College

Keystone's criminal justice graduates earn $33,645 in their first year—about 10% below Pennsylvania's median and 11% below the national average for this degree. While the program carries slightly above-average debt at $28,500, graduates land in the middle of the pack among Pennsylvania's 52 criminal justice programs (40th percentile). The small sample size here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, a few high or low earners can significantly skew the numbers.

The 14% earnings growth to $38,297 by year four helps close the gap, though graduates still trail the state median. The debt load isn't unreasonable—it takes less than a year's salary to repay—but students should recognize they're unlikely to match the $45,000+ starting salaries seen at top Pennsylvania programs like Peirce or DeSales. Keystone's 80% admission rate and accessible price point serve students who might not gain entry elsewhere, though that openness doesn't translate to standout career outcomes in this particular field.

If your child is set on criminal justice at Keystone, the numbers are workable but unexceptional. The modest debt burden means this won't be a financial disaster, but they should explore whether nearby public universities offer better value for in-state students, particularly if Pennsylvania State System schools deliver stronger regional law enforcement connections at comparable or lower cost.