Criminal Justice and Corrections at Pace University

Pace's Criminal Justice program starts graduates at below-average salaries but shows remarkable momentum, with earnings jumping 48% by year four—reaching $54,354, well above both the national median ($37,856) and New York's state median ($35,291). That trajectory matters more than the modest starting point, especially with manageable debt of $24,098 that represents just two-thirds of first-year earnings.

The program ranks in the 60th percentile among New York's 46 criminal justice programs, performing better than state peers despite its moderate national ranking. Compare this to SUNY Delhi, which starts graduates higher at $38,416 but likely lacks Pace's four-year earnings potential, or to pricier private options like Keuka College ($40,753). The real comparison should be to elite performers like Excelsior ($62,703), which suggests there's room for stronger outcomes—but Pace's debt load is significantly lower than the state median of nearly $26,000.

The value proposition here depends on career trajectory: students who leverage Pace's New York City location and connections for advancement will likely justify this investment. Those planning to stay in entry-level positions should expect several years of tight budgets before the earnings growth materializes. With a moderate sample size backing these numbers, they're reasonably reliable indicators of what your child might expect.