Criminal Justice and Corrections at Post University

Starting at just over $30,000 in first-year earnings, Post University's Criminal Justice program falls short of both the national median ($33,269) and trails Connecticut State Community College by about $1,000. But the real concern is debt: at $33,638, graduates carry more than double the national median for this degree and nearly 111% of their first-year salary. This places Post in the worst 5% of programs nationally for debt burden—a stark difference from most community colleges where associate degrees typically come with minimal debt loads.

The program serves a predominantly low-income student body (73% Pell recipients), making the debt burden especially problematic. While Criminal Justice associate degrees generally lead to modest earnings regardless of school, the debt at Post transforms an affordable credential into a risky financial proposition. With only four programs in Connecticut, the state data offers limited perspective, but graduates here are essentially matching the state median for earnings while shouldering maximum debt.

Given the small sample size, these numbers might not be fully representative, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious consideration. If your child is set on this field, exploring the Connecticut State Community College option—with similar earnings but presumably lower debt—would be a smarter financial start. The debt difference could mean the difference between manageable payments and years of financial strain on an entry-level public safety salary.