Criminal Justice and Corrections at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's criminal justice program produces first-year earnings of $36,713—solidly above the national median but trailing most comparable Wisconsin programs by several thousand dollars. The estimated debt of $12,375, drawn from similar associate programs at Wisconsin technical colleges, would represent a manageable burden at roughly one-third of first-year earnings. However, this school sits in the middle of the pack statewide, with top programs like Southwest Wisconsin Technical College starting graduates at $51,806.

The 15% earnings growth to $42,242 by year four suggests steady but unspectacular career progression. For context, Wisconsin's median for criminal justice associate programs is $39,298, meaning this school's outcomes track slightly below the state average despite exceeding national benchmarks. The field itself tends toward modest starting salaries—criminal justice work often requires years of service before reaching higher pay grades in corrections or law enforcement.

For families considering this program, the estimated debt load appears reasonable given typical technical college costs in Wisconsin, but the earnings trajectory matters more than the initial numbers suggest. If your child is committed to criminal justice work in the Green Bay area, this program offers a straightforward path with manageable debt. If they're flexible on location, programs at Southwest, Rasmussen, or Northwood demonstrate that stronger first-year outcomes are achievable within Wisconsin's technical college system—differences that compound significantly over a career.