Criminal Justice and Corrections at Our Lady of the Lake University

At first glance, this program might seem manageable—the $26,625 debt load is typical for criminal justice programs, and earnings grow by a solid 35% over four years. But here's the problem: graduates start at just $29,546, placing this program in the 5th percentile nationally. Even within Texas, where criminal justice salaries tend to run below the national average, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile. Top programs in the state like Wayland Baptist ($53,038) and Texas A&M-Central Texas ($45,976) deliver starting salaries nearly double what graduates here can expect.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 means students are borrowing nearly a full year's salary, which creates immediate financial strain in a field known for modest pay. While earnings do climb to $39,940 by year four, that's still $6,000 below where comparable Texas programs start their graduates. For a family already stretching to afford college—particularly relevant given that 57% of students here receive Pell grants—this gap matters enormously for loan repayment and financial stability.

If your child is committed to criminal justice in Texas, explore public university options first. This program's value proposition simply doesn't compete with what's available elsewhere in the state, even accounting for the eventual earnings growth.