Criminal Justice and Corrections at Merrimack College

Merrimack's Criminal Justice program outperforms most competitors nationally but sits squarely in the middle of Massachusetts options, where you're paying about $6,000 more in typical debt than you'd see at the state median. Graduates start at $43,323—well above the national average of $37,856, putting this program in the 81st percentile nationwide. However, within Massachusetts (where this degree costs less for in-state students at public universities), it ranks exactly at the 60th percentile, trailing schools like Salem State and Curry College that offer stronger earnings outcomes.

The debt picture requires attention. At $27,000, borrowing sits near both state and national medians, yielding a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. The positive sign here is consistent earnings growth: graduates see 22% income gains by year four, reaching $52,801. That trajectory suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement, not just entry-level positions.

For Massachusetts families, this becomes a calculation about access versus return. Merrimack's 74% admission rate makes it attainable for most applicants, but the value depends heavily on net cost after aid. If your child can attend a higher-ranked in-state public program, those typically deliver better earnings at lower cost. If Merrimack offers substantial aid bringing the price near public school levels, the above-average national performance and solid growth pattern make this reasonable—just not exceptional within the state's competitive criminal justice landscape.