Criminal Justice and Corrections at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola's criminal justice graduates start earning slightly below Illinois peers at $38,953, but the program's real strength emerges by year four, when median earnings jump to $61,200—a 57% increase that significantly outpaces typical career progression in this field. That four-year number puts graduates well ahead of the state median and suggests the degree opens doors to management or specialized roles that many criminal justice programs don't deliver.

The challenge lies in those early years. Within Illinois, this program ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning graduates from schools like Benedictine ($46,020) and Aurora University ($44,150) start with a $5,000-$7,000 advantage right out of the gate. The $25,000 debt load is reasonable—slightly below both state and national medians—but during that first year when earnings are modest, graduates may feel financially stretched.

For families who can weather the initial earning period, the trajectory here is promising. The key question is whether your student plans to stay in criminal justice long enough to reach those higher-earning positions. If they're committed to building a career in corrections administration, probation services, or law enforcement leadership, Loyola's outcomes by year four make this a solid investment. But if they're uncertain about the field or need strong immediate earnings to manage debt, programs with better starting salaries might reduce early financial stress.