Criminal Justice and Corrections at Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning just under $39,000 in their first year—solidly above both the national median ($37,856) and Ohio's median ($36,612) for this degree. Ranking in the 60th percentile among Ohio programs, it's a respectable middle-tier option, though far from the earnings leaders like Herzing-Akron ($67,229) or even nearby Tiffin ($44,823). The $27,000 in typical debt translates to a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary.

The challenge here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the data set—which makes these numbers less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. For a family considering a $27,000 investment in a criminal justice degree, the question becomes whether Ohio Northern's smaller environment and higher selectivity (SAT average of 1290) translate into networking advantages or career support that justify choosing it over more affordable state schools with similar outcomes.

Given the modest earnings ceiling typical of criminal justice careers, keeping debt under $30,000 is smart, and this program achieves that. But with only about one in five students receiving Pell grants, financial aid packages matter significantly. If your child receives substantial merit aid that brings costs down further, it's a reasonable choice. At full price, question whether the premium over state alternatives delivers meaningful value when earnings differences are minimal.