Location: Fairfield, AL•In-State Tuition: $12,714
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,216
Est. from AL median (15 programs)
Median Debt
$35,881
37% above national median

Analysis

Miles College serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (76%) in a field where earnings typically start modest. Based on comparable criminal justice programs in Alabama, first-year earnings around $36,000 appear typical for the state—though this figure is an estimate derived from peer programs, not reported outcomes from Miles graduates specifically. By year four, earnings reach $38,180, suggesting minimal salary growth in those early career years.

The debt picture is more concerning. At $35,881, graduates carry roughly $7,000 more than the Alabama median for this field and nearly $10,000 above the national benchmark. That debt load essentially equals a full year's starting salary—a tight financial position for any graduate, but particularly challenging for those from lower-income backgrounds who may lack family financial cushioning. The school ranks in just the 14th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning 86% of criminal justice programs nationwide send graduates out with less debt.

Alabama's top criminal justice programs report substantially higher earnings—some graduates earn $60,000-$67,000 in their first year. Whether Miles can produce similar outcomes for its students remains unclear given the lack of actual earnings data. For families considering this program, the combination of estimated modest earnings and confirmed above-average debt warrants careful comparison shopping, particularly at in-state public universities where criminal justice degrees may come with lighter debt loads.

Where Miles College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Miles College (estimated ±10%)Other criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Miles College—$38,180—
Columbia Southern University$60,461$60,062-1%
Herzing University-Birmingham$67,229$58,875-12%
Strayer University-Alabama$43,405$50,636+17%
Auburn University at Montgomery$38,710$47,219+22%

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Miles CollegeFairfield$12,714$36,216*$38,180$35,881—
Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham$13,420$67,229*$58,875$28,3990.42
Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach$5,808$60,461*$60,062$30,2040.50
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery$23,920$54,704*$40,352$28,2500.52
Strayer University-AlabamaBirmingham$13,920$43,405*$50,636$56,9371.31
Troy UniversityTroy$9,792$41,780*$40,717$25,0000.60
National Median—$37,856*—$26,1300.69
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Miles College, approximately 76% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 15 similar programs in AL. Actual outcomes may vary.