Criminal Justice and Corrections at Mid-State Technical College

Similar criminal justice programs in Wisconsin suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, but Mid-State's graduates earn $43,413 by year four—a trajectory that exceeds several programs with reported outcomes, including Waukesha County Technical College. At $10,500 in debt, this is notably lower than both the Wisconsin median ($13,750) and national typical debt ($14,230) for these programs, putting the debt burden at just 27% of first-year earnings. That's manageable by any measure.

The four-year earnings figure is particularly telling here. While we're working with estimated first-year numbers based on peer programs, by year four graduates are earning more than the Wisconsin state median and well above the national benchmark of $33,269. They're approaching what top-tier programs like Northwood Technical produce, without taking on the debt that often accompanies those outcomes. The combination of below-average debt and above-average mid-career earnings suggests graduates are building stable corrections or law enforcement careers.

For parents weighing this investment, the math works: relatively low debt, earnings that grow meaningfully over time, and outcomes that compete with Wisconsin's better-performing programs. The main caveat is that first-year figures are estimates—actual starting salaries could vary. But the reported four-year earnings and the modest debt load indicate this program delivers solid value for students entering Wisconsin's criminal justice field.