Criminal Justice and Corrections at Shaw University

Shaw University's Criminal Justice program shows troubling financial outcomes that demand serious scrutiny, even accounting for the small sample size. Graduates earn just $25,649 in their first year while carrying $37,500 in debt—a 1.46 debt-to-earnings ratio that's nearly triple what financial experts recommend. This means graduates would need to dedicate their entire first-year salary, plus half of a second year's earnings, just to pay off their student loans. The program ranks at the 5th percentile nationally and trails the North Carolina median by nearly $9,000 annually.

The comparison to other NC schools is particularly stark: top programs like Strayer University-North Carolina and University of Mount Olive produce graduates earning $40,000-plus—roughly $15,000 more per year than Shaw graduates. Even the state median of $34,463 represents significantly better earning potential. While Shaw serves a predominantly low-income student population (65% receive Pell grants), that mission doesn't justify saddling graduates with high debt and below-market earnings in a field where job opportunities should translate into living wages.

The small sample size warrants caution, but these numbers suggest this program may not provide adequate return on investment. Parents should request placement data and consider whether their student might fare better at one of North Carolina's many stronger-performing criminal justice programs, several of which serve similar student populations with better outcomes.