Analysis
A 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests this program's financial profile sits in reasonable territory—the estimated $24,061 in debt is manageable against projected first-year earnings of $36,092. Criminal justice bachelor's programs in California cluster around similar outcomes, with typical starting salaries near $36,000. However, these figures are extrapolated from peer institutions across the state, not from Notre Dame de Namur's own graduates, meaning actual outcomes could vary considerably depending on the university's specific career placement resources and regional employer connections.
The estimated debt figure deserves closer scrutiny. While comparable programs at California private schools typically generate around $24,000 in borrowing, other criminal justice programs in the state report median debt of just $15,000. That $9,000 difference matters when starting salaries in this field rarely exceed $40,000. The gap between top performers—National University graduates average $64,000—and the state median suggests that institutional networks and location significantly influence criminal justice career outcomes.
For families considering this investment, request Notre Dame de Namur's actual graduate employment data: where recent criminal justice graduates work, what positions they hold, and their salary ranges. The estimated figures suggest a workable financial outcome, but without program-specific data, you're making decisions in the dark about a professional field where institutional reputation and employer relationships drive starting positions.
Where Notre Dame de Namur University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (41 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $36,092* | — | $24,061* | — | |
| $13,320 | $64,143* | $55,598 | $28,014* | 0.44 | |
| — | $47,987* | $44,185 | $46,989* | 0.98 | |
| $13,160 | $47,869* | $46,544 | $37,625* | 0.79 | |
| $7,055 | $45,387* | $57,898 | $15,500* | 0.34 | |
| $43,550 | $45,022* | — | $14,000* | 0.31 | |
| National Median | — | $37,856* | — | $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). 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 23 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.