Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Lamar University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$43,707

83rd percentile

60th percentile in Texas

Median Debt

$31,000

19% above national median

Analysis

Lamar's criminal justice program generates stronger first-year earnings than 83% of similar programs nationwide, but graduates carry above-average debt that dampens the overall value proposition. With $31,000 in debt against $43,707 in first-year earnings, the debt burden sits well above both state and national norms for this field, though the 0.71 ratio remains manageable with disciplined budgeting.

The program performs solidly within Texas, landing at the 60th percentile for earnings, though several state competitors achieve better outcomes. What works in this program's favor is consistent income growth—graduates see earnings climb 16% by year four to $50,559, suggesting stable career progression rather than the stagnation common in some criminal justice programs. For a university serving a substantial population of Pell Grant recipients, these outcomes represent genuine mobility opportunities, even if not exceptional.

The question is whether an extra $5,000-6,000 in debt (compared to typical programs) justifies outcomes that are good but not outstanding. Students landing positions in Southeast Texas law enforcement or corrections may find the debt serviceable on these salaries, but those struggling to break into competitive positions could face years of financial strain. If your child has admission offers from Texas A&M-Central Texas or similar programs with comparable earnings but lighter debt loads, those deserve serious consideration.

Where Lamar University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Lamar University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Lamar University	$43,707	$50,559	+16%
Texas Christian University	$34,556	$61,238	+77%
Hardin-Simmons University	$39,445	$52,024	+32%
Angelo State University	$35,955	$51,462	+43%
University of Houston-Downtown	$42,122	$50,850	+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (62 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Lamar UniversityBeaumont	$8,690	$43,707	$50,559	$31,000	0.71
Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview	$23,186	$53,038	$47,490	$25,000	0.47
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas	—	$47,987	$44,185	$46,989	0.98
Texas A&M University-Central TexasKilleen	$6,627	$45,976	$33,511	$24,750	0.54
Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth	$37,934	$44,328	$44,073	$26,000	0.59
Strayer University-TexasFarmers Branch	$13,920	$43,405	$50,636	$56,937	1.31
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

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 Lamar University, approximately 44% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 63 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.