Criminal Justice and Corrections at Rasmussen University-Kansas

At $39,317, Rasmussen-Kansas's criminal justice program sits squarely at the state median and above the national average—ranking in the 60th percentile among Kansas programs. That's the good news. The concerning part is the $42,037 in debt, which is 62% higher than what Kansas students typically borrow for this degree and nearly double the national median. This program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with less debt.

The numbers become more troubling over time. Rather than seeing the earnings growth common in early-career law enforcement and corrections work, graduates here see essentially flat wages—earning slightly less four years out than they did initially. Meanwhile, the debt payments remain constant. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are stretching financially for a credential that doesn't appear to open doors the way programs at Fort Hays State or Washburn do at similar or lower debt levels.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether borrowing $42,000 makes sense when nearby public universities produce stronger outcomes with significantly less debt. Unless there are compelling scheduling or geographic constraints that rule out alternatives, Kansas families have better options for their criminal justice investment.