Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Owensboro Community and Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$48,388

Est. from national median (165 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,994

Est. from KY median (3 programs)

Analysis

Similar criminal justice certificate programs in Kentucky suggest this Owensboro credential leads to first-year earnings around $48,000—notably higher than the state's typical $39,500 for this field. That figure, drawn from national benchmarks, would place graduates well ahead of what nearby Somerset Community produces ($34,245) and closer to Bluegrass Community's stronger outcomes ($44,752). If those earnings hold true here, the estimated $11,000 in debt represents just under three months of gross income, a manageable burden for an entry credential.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways for anxious parents. Criminal justice hiring in Owensboro—with its proximity to corrections facilities and law enforcement agencies—might support stronger local outcomes than Kentucky's rural programs typically produce. Or this specific certificate might funnel graduates into lower-paying security or administrative roles rather than sworn positions. Without actual graduate data, you're essentially betting that Owensboro's job market and program quality mirror the stronger programs in Kentucky rather than the weaker ones.

The modest debt load keeps this gamble relatively low-stakes. Even if actual earnings land closer to Somerset's $34,000 range, debt service remains feasible. But before enrolling, verify where recent graduates actually work and what they earn—the school should be able to share placement information even if federal data isn't available.

Where Owensboro Community and Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro	$4,656	$48,388*	—	$10,994*	—
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington	$4,706	$44,752*	—	$8,865*	0.20
Somerset Community CollegeSomerset	$4,656	$34,245*	—	$15,899*	0.46
National Median	—	$48,388*	—	$13,355*	0.28

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

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). At Owensboro Community and Technical College, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. 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 national median of 165 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.