Criminal Justice and Corrections at Longwood University

Longwood's Criminal Justice program starts graduates at below-average earnings—$36,254 ranks them in just the 40th percentile among Virginia programs—but the four-year trajectory tells a more optimistic story. By year four, earnings climb 30% to $46,962, moving graduates into competitive territory with stronger programs like Shenandoah and Regent universities.

The debt picture offers real relief here. At $23,375, graduates borrow roughly $3,600 less than the state median and nearly $3,000 below the national benchmark. That lighter debt load produces a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their first-year salary. For a criminal justice degree—a field where starting salaries rarely top $40,000—this conservative borrowing matters considerably.

The central question is whether parents can weather those lean early years. With starting pay trailing both state and national medians by $3,000-$1,600, the first 18 months will likely require careful budgeting. But the earnings growth suggests this program connects graduates to career progression opportunities rather than dead-end positions. If your child plans to work in law enforcement or corrections in Virginia, where career ladders and pay scales reward tenure, the lower debt burden makes Longwood's slower start financially sustainable. Just don't expect them to move out immediately after graduation.