Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Loras College

Analysis

At $47,413 in first-year earnings, Loras graduates in this program earn more than 95% of criminal justice programs nationally—a standout figure that puts them $10,000 ahead of the typical graduate in this field. They're also outpacing most Iowa competitors, trailing only the University of Dubuque by about $1,000. With a debt load of $27,000 (matching the state median), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 is quite manageable for a field where graduates often struggle with debt burdens exceeding 70% of their first-year salary.

The catch? This data represents fewer than 30 graduates, which means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. A small cohort where a few graduates land particularly strong positions with Iowa law enforcement or corrections agencies could explain the exceptional earnings. Still, the fact that Loras beats the Iowa median by more than $4,500 suggests their career placement and regional network may genuinely help graduates secure better-paying positions in the state.

For families concerned about value in criminal justice—a field notorious for modest starting salaries—Loras appears to deliver stronger outcomes than most alternatives. Just recognize that with such limited data, you're betting on a pattern that might not hold as consistently as numbers from larger programs.

Where Loras College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Loras College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Loras CollegeDubuque	$38,298	$47,413	—	$27,000	0.57
University of DubuqueDubuque	$40,065	$46,307	$55,013	$27,000	0.58
Grand View UniversityDes Moines	$33,450	$45,175	$52,195	$26,485	0.59
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls	$9,728	$43,748	—	$19,500	0.45
Simpson CollegeIndianola	$46,212	$42,862	$49,733	$27,000	0.63
Waldorf UniversityForest City	$25,220	$42,735	—	$27,000	0.63
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 Loras College, approximately 25% 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.