Criminal Justice and Corrections at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg's Criminal Justice program puts graduates ahead of most alternatives in Pennsylvania, with first-year earnings of $41,143 landing in the 60th percentile statewide—nearly $4,000 above the state median. With a manageable debt load of $26,000 (roughly two-thirds of first-year salary), graduates can reasonably expect to pay down their loans while building their careers. The 18% earnings growth to $48,661 by year four suggests steady career progression, though graduates still trail top programs like Peirce College by about $7,000 annually.

The value proposition here is straightforward: you're getting above-average outcomes at an accessible institution. The 86% admission rate means most applicants get in, yet the program delivers better results than 60% of Pennsylvania's criminal justice programs. That's a meaningful combination for families worried about both acceptance odds and return on investment. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 sits comfortably in the manageable range—high enough to require discipline, but not the kind of burden that derails financial planning.

For students committed to criminal justice careers in Pennsylvania, this represents a solid middle-ground choice. You're not getting premium outcomes, but you're clearing the state median with room to spare while keeping debt under control. Just recognize that the field itself has earnings limitations—even by year four, graduates are earning less than $50,000, which is typical for this profession but worth considering against other career paths.