Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Purdue University Global

Median Earnings (1yr)

$45,984

95th percentile

60th percentile in Indiana

Median Debt

$40,244

54% above national median

Analysis

Purdue University Global's Criminal Justice program commands a premium price but delivers earnings that rank in the 95th percentile nationally—a rare combination in higher education. While graduates earn $45,984 in their first year, significantly outpacing both the national median ($37,856) and Indiana median ($39,991), they pay for this performance with higher debt at $40,244 compared to typical program debt of around $26,000.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their income drop 6% by year four, falling to $43,072. This decline is unusual and suggests the program may not build the long-term career capital parents expect from a premium-priced degree. Within Indiana, the program ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional—meaning families are paying more for outcomes that several in-state alternatives deliver at lower cost.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 is manageable but not ideal, especially given the declining income trend. For families, this program offers strong initial job placement but questionable long-term value. Unless your child has specific career goals that require this program's particular strengths, Indiana offers several alternatives with similar or better earnings at significantly lower debt levels.

Where Purdue University Global Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Purdue University Global graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Purdue University Global	$45,984	$43,072	-6%
Oakland City University	$46,038	$59,489	+29%
Indiana University-Bloomington	$35,572	$51,792	+46%
University of Indianapolis	$44,418	$50,758	+14%
Ball State University	$39,991	$47,500	+19%

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (28 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette	$10,110	$45,984	$43,072	$40,244	0.88
Calumet College of Saint JosephWhiting	$22,650	$55,587	—	$23,856	0.43
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$46,644	$46,026	$21,030	0.45
Oakland City UniversityOakland City	$27,150	$46,038	$59,489	$24,657	0.54
Indiana University-EastRichmond	$8,179	$45,204	$44,403	$28,686	0.63
University of IndianapolisIndianapolis	$36,136	$44,418	$50,758	$26,324	0.59
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

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 Purdue University Global, approximately 48% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 373 graduates with reported earnings and 513 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.