Criminal Justice and Corrections at Rasmussen University-Kansas

Rasmussen University-Kansas charges substantially more than typical criminal justice programs—graduates carry $24,408 in debt versus a national median of just $14,230—but the earnings premium justifies the investment. At $47,447 within a year of graduation, these associate degree holders earn 43% more than the national median for this field, placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. Within Kansas, where the criminal justice job market appears stronger overall, this program still hits exactly the state median for earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 is manageable, meaning graduates can expect to earn roughly double their debt in their first year. That's a reasonable trade-off, especially for the 57% of students here receiving Pell grants who might otherwise struggle to access quality career training. The slight earnings dip to $45,519 by year four is worth noting but doesn't fundamentally change the value equation—these graduates still far outpace their peers from cheaper programs.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, this program demonstrates that higher debt isn't always a red flag. The question is whether your student needs this particular program's edge: if they can access a cheaper in-state option, the earnings advantage might not justify the extra $10,000 in borrowing. But for students who need the flexibility or support systems this institution provides, the premium produces measurably better career starts than most alternatives.