Criminal Justice and Corrections at Mount Mercy University

Mount Mercy's criminal justice program starts its graduates at $34,824—roughly $8,000 below Iowa's median for the field and trailing all the state's major programs. This 25th percentile ranking among Iowa schools is significant, especially since in-state tuition advantages often drive college choice. While the debt load of $25,500 is slightly below average, the low starting salary creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, meaning graduates carry debt equivalent to nearly nine months of their first-year income.

The 34% earnings growth to $46,659 by year four offers some relief, bringing graduates closer to competitive territory. However, this catch-up pattern means spending the early career years at a financial disadvantage compared to peers from programs like Loras or University of Dubuque. For context, criminal justice isn't a high-earning field anywhere—the national median sits at $37,856—but Iowa programs typically outperform that benchmark.

The crucial caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, which limits reliability. For parents considering this investment, the combination of below-average starting pay and Iowa's 25th percentile ranking suggests exploring whether those higher-performing in-state options might offer better career launch opportunities at comparable costs.