Criminal Justice and Corrections at Lourdes University

Criminal justice programs in Ohio produce remarkably consistent outcomes, with similar programs statewide suggesting first-year earnings around $36,600—essentially matching the national median. For Lourdes, that means graduates likely face estimated debt of $27,000 against these typical starting salaries, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74. This sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, though it's worth noting that four-year earnings of $43,437 show only modest growth from year one.

The challenge here is that criminal justice graduates typically enter fields where compensation increases slowly. While the estimated debt load appears manageable at roughly nine months of first-year income, the modest jump to $43,400 by year four suggests limited salary progression. Compare this to Ohio's top-performing programs like Herzing-Akron, where graduates earn $67,000—nearly double the state median—and the limitations of standard outcomes become clearer.

For parents evaluating this investment, the numbers suggest a workable but unexciting financial proposition. The estimated debt won't be crushing, but career advancement may require additional credentials or strategic job moves. If your child is passionate about criminal justice, ensure they understand the salary realities and explore whether specific career paths within the field—federal positions, private security management—might offer stronger earning potential than typical entry-level roles.