Criminal Justice and Corrections at Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus

Rowan College's criminal justice certificate faces significant headwinds: graduates actually earn less four years out than they did initially, dropping from $38,144 to $34,212—a 10% decline that's particularly troubling for a program meant to launch careers in law enforcement or corrections. While the debt load is manageable at under $12,000, you're essentially paying for credentials that lead to diminishing returns in the labor market.

That said, context matters. This program ranks in the 60th percentile among New Jersey criminal justice programs, which sounds middling until you see that top performer Camden County College's graduates earn $59,298—56% more. Within the state, you're looking at middle-of-the-pack outcomes, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year.

The fundamental issue isn't the debt—it's what happens after graduation. For parents of students serious about criminal justice careers, the declining earnings pattern suggests either limited advancement opportunities or that many graduates aren't staying in the field. Before committing, verify what percentage of graduates actually work in law enforcement or corrections versus retail or service jobs, and whether this certificate provides a genuine advantage over simply applying directly to police academies or correctional facilities that often provide their own training.