Criminal Justice and Corrections at Miller-Motte College-McCann-Monroe

With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.97, graduates from Miller-Motte's Criminal Justice program are borrowing nearly a full year's salary—double the national median debt for this degree. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile among Louisiana criminal justice programs, that's largely because Louisiana has chronically low earnings in this field; you're still looking at starting pay around $30,500 that doesn't budge over the next four years. Community colleges like Baton Rouge CC and Bossier Parish deliver meaningfully higher earnings with significantly less debt burden.

The stagnant earnings trajectory should concern parents. While some careers start modest and grow, criminal justice graduates from this program earn essentially the same amount in year four as year one—suggesting limited advancement opportunities or a career ceiling. Meanwhile, that $29,500 in debt compounds. With 74% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a financially vulnerable population that can least afford to take on high debt for below-average outcomes.

Unless your child has a compelling reason to attend this specific institution, Louisiana's community colleges offer a better path into criminal justice careers. They provide comparable or better earnings with roughly three-quarters of the debt, giving graduates far more financial breathing room as they start their careers.