Criminal Justice and Corrections at La Salle University

La Salle's Criminal Justice program shows promising momentum that distinguishes it from typical outcomes in this field. While first-year earnings of $38,832 sit just above Pennsylvania's median, graduates see 28% salary growth by year four—reaching nearly $50,000. This trajectory matters in a field where many programs plateau quickly. Among the 52 criminal justice programs in Pennsylvania, La Salle ranks at the 60th percentile, performing better than three out of five alternatives, though it trails specialty schools like Peirce and DeSales by $10,000-15,000 at the four-year mark.

The $27,000 debt burden is precisely at Pennsylvania's median and creates a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates owe about 8.4 months of their first-year salary—a reasonable starting point for a field that doesn't command premium salaries. The real question is whether your child plans to stay in entry-level positions or pursue advancement into supervisory or specialized roles where that year-four earning power becomes the norm.

For families prioritizing steady career progression over immediate high earnings, this program delivers solid value within the criminal justice field. The admission rate and moderate debt suggest accessibility without the burden that hampers some private university graduates.