Analysis
Texas criminal justice programs show a wide earnings range, from the mid-$30,000s to over $50,000 annually. Based on comparable programs across the state, North American University's graduates likely earn around $35,900 in their first yearβroughly $2,000 below the national median and tracking at the lower end of what Texas schools produce. For context, top performers in the state like Wayland Baptist report graduates earning over $53,000, nearly 50% more than what similar programs suggest for this school.
The estimated debt load of $28,000 creates a manageable but tight ratio of 0.78 to first-year earnings. This means about nine months of gross pay would go toward the full debtβworkable on paper, but challenging in practice given that criminal justice salaries in this range often require careful budgeting. With half the student body receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on post-graduation earnings to justify the investment.
The practical concern is that peer programs in Texas suggest this degree leads to entry-level earnings that leave little margin for error. If criminal justice is the goal, families should understand they're looking at a competitive field where the school you attend appears to matter significantly for starting salary. The $17,000 gap between estimated outcomes here and top Texas programs represents real purchasing power in early career years.
Where North American University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (62 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $12,836 | $35,862* | β | $28,000* | β | |
| $23,186 | $53,038* | $47,490 | $25,000* | 0.47 | |
| β | $47,987* | $44,185 | $46,989* | 0.98 | |
| $6,627 | $45,976* | $33,511 | $24,750* | 0.54 | |
| $37,934 | $44,328* | $44,073 | $26,000* | 0.59 | |
| $8,690 | $43,707* | $50,559 | $31,000* | 0.71 | |
| National Median | β | $37,856* | β | $26,130* | 0.69 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates
Financial Examiners
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
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 North American University, approximately 51% 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 47 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.