Criminal Justice and Corrections at Limestone University

Limestone's criminal justice program posts first-year earnings of $39,181—above both the national and South Carolina medians—but the small graduate sample (under 30) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their pay drop 5% by year four rather than grow, suggesting either career instability or that many leave the field.

The debt load of $31,000 is actually reasonable for this program, coming in better than 78% of criminal justice programs nationally. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, graduates owe less than one year's salary, which keeps monthly payments manageable even as law enforcement careers typically start at modest pay scales. The 98% admission rate and 43% Pell Grant population indicate Limestone serves students who may have limited alternatives, and the program does deliver slightly above-average outcomes compared to the state's 20 criminal justice programs.

However, the backward earnings slide and small sample size create real uncertainty. If your student is comparing options, note that top South Carolina programs like Columbia College and Anderson University achieve earnings 20-30% higher. Given the limited data and declining pay pattern, this program works best for students who have strong local law enforcement connections or specific reasons to attend Limestone—not as a default choice for criminal justice careers.