Criminal Justice and Corrections at Liberty University

Liberty's online Criminal Justice associate program commands significantly higher debt than typical—$28,917 versus $14,230 nationally—but the earnings justify the premium. Graduates earn $43,287 in their first year, ranking in the 88th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within Virginia. That's roughly $10,000 more than the typical associate-level criminal justice graduate earns, creating manageable debt with a 0.67 ratio to first-year income.

The earnings plateau quickly, growing only 2% over four years, which suggests graduates enter stable but not rapidly advancing positions. However, the strong starting point matters more here. Within Virginia, only Wytheville Community College posts higher earnings, and Liberty's graduates still outearn most state programs while earning nearly $10,000 more than the Virginia median of $34,171.

The calculation is straightforward: you're paying roughly double the typical debt but gaining $10,000 in annual earnings. For students who need Liberty's flexible online format or prefer its environment, the extra borrowing pays for itself within three years. Community college alternatives cost less upfront but leave significant earning potential on the table.