Criminal Justice and Corrections at Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College graduates earn about $42,000 in their first year—substantially above the national median for associate-level criminal justice programs ($33,000), though trailing Massachusetts leaders like Bunker Hill and MassBay by several thousand dollars. For context, this places the program at the 60th percentile statewide, meaning it performs better than most Bay State programs but isn't among the elite. The relatively modest debt load of $10,950 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, though it's worth noting that's actually higher than the state median debt of $7,500 for this field.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth to nearly $44,000 by year four—a pattern that suggests stable career progression rather than rapid advancement. This aligns with what you'd expect in law enforcement and corrections work, where experience matters but dramatic salary jumps are uncommon.

The main caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 recent graduates tracked, one exceptional outcome (or struggle) can skew these numbers significantly. That said, for families seeking an affordable path into public safety careers, the combination of below-average debt and above-average starting pay makes this a reasonable option—just not the strongest one in Massachusetts if your student can access programs at Bunker Hill or MassBay.