Criminal Justice and Corrections at Miami University-Middletown

Miami University-Middletown's Criminal Justice program sits squarely in the middle of Ohio's options, matching the state's median salary of $36,612 while keeping debt slightly below both state and national averages. That 60th percentile ranking among Ohio schools means graduates here do better than most in-state programs, even if they're earning nearly half what the top Ohio programs deliver. The debt load of $23,505 translates to manageable payments—roughly $265 monthly on a standard repayment plan—which is reasonable given starting salaries in a field where earnings don't grow dramatically over time.

The concerning part is the national comparison: this program lands below the national median for criminal justice graduates, and those top Ohio schools show there's significantly more earning potential in the field. Still, the 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates can handle their loans, and the relatively affordable debt burden matters for students entering public service careers with limited early earnings growth.

For families weighing this program, the value proposition depends on cost. If you're paying in-state tuition at a regional campus, you're getting median outcomes at below-average debt—a fair deal. But if this means taking on the full debt load shown here, understand you're preparing for a $36,000 starting salary in a competitive field where other Ohio schools are placing graduates at substantially higher pay grades.