Criminal Justice and Corrections at Oakland City University

Drawing on what's typical for Indiana criminal justice associate's programs, this degree carries an estimated debt burden of $32,286—considerably higher than both the state median ($25,537) and especially the national median ($14,230) for this credential. That's noteworthy given that similar programs in Indiana tend to produce first-year earnings around $34,748, creating a nearly dollar-for-dollar debt-to-earnings ratio.

The reality is that criminal justice associate's degrees rarely command premium salaries in early career stages. While Purdue Global's program shows graduates earning over $50,000, most Indiana programs cluster in the mid-$30,000s, and nationally the picture is even more modest at $33,269. Taking on above-average debt for field-average earnings means a longer payback period, which can strain a young graduate's budget when entry-level correctional officer or law enforcement support positions typically don't leave much cushion for aggressive loan repayment.

Before committing, find out what makes Oakland City's debt load higher than most comparable programs in the state. Federal loans for associate's degrees shouldn't typically exceed these amounts unless additional private borrowing is involved. Compare this to Vincennes University or Indiana Tech, which produce similar estimated earnings with debt loads closer to state norms. The specific circumstances of this program—whether it's unusually expensive, whether students are borrowing for living expenses, or whether there are alternative funding sources—matter significantly for determining if this investment makes sense.