Criminal Justice and Corrections at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's Criminal Justice program graduates earn $44,497 in their first year—nearly $7,000 above the national median for this degree and landing them in the 87th percentile nationally. That's impressive for a program with a 99% admission rate serving a significant population of Pell grant recipients. The $26,130 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than seven months of their first-year salary.

Within Colorado, the picture becomes more nuanced. MSU Denver sits near the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing Colorado State University Global by a substantial margin but staying competitive with larger state institutions like UC Denver and UC Colorado Springs. For families prioritizing in-state tuition and accessibility, this represents solid value—you're getting above-average national outcomes at a school that accepts nearly everyone who applies.

The 10% earnings growth over four years is steady if unspectacular, but the real strength here is the combination of low barriers to entry and strong job placement. For students interested in law enforcement or corrections work in Colorado, this program delivers reliable career preparation without excessive debt. The robust sample size confirms these aren't fluky numbers—this is what graduates can reasonably expect.