Criminal Justice and Corrections at Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College graduates in criminal justice earn $44,966 in their first year—$11,700 above the national median and $5,700 above what's typical in Wisconsin. That 92nd percentile national ranking is impressive, though the 60th percentile within Wisconsin shows this state simply pays correctional officers and law enforcement better than most. Still, these earnings substantially outpace what similar programs in the state produce, putting Northwood ahead of most Wisconsin technical colleges in this field.

The debt situation deserves attention: at $10,252, it's higher than ideal compared to other Wisconsin programs (78th percentile), though the 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. Graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years. The real question is whether your child wants this career path—criminal justice jobs often come with shift work, physical demands, and emotional stress that aren't captured in salary figures.

One significant caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these averages. That said, the combination of strong earnings and modest debt suggests this program effectively prepares students for Wisconsin's law enforcement and corrections job market. If your child is committed to this field, the financial fundamentals look solid.