Criminal Justice and Corrections at Shorter University

Shorter University's criminal justice program serves predominantly Georgia students—but they'd typically see better earnings staying in-state at other options. With graduates earning $34,829 in year one, the program trails both the state median ($37,330) and ranks in just the 40th percentile among Georgia's 37 criminal justice programs. Meanwhile, schools like Thomas University and Strayer are delivering earnings $8,500-$17,500 higher to their criminal justice graduates.

The modest debt load of $30,817 keeps this program from being a clear financial mistake, but the near-stagnant earnings growth should concern parents. A 3% increase over four years means graduates essentially tread water financially during what should be prime career-building years. Compare this trajectory to top performers in the state, where stronger employer networks and credentials appear to open different doors.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year-to-year, but the pattern is hard to ignore: median outcomes at a price point that isn't dramatically cheaper than alternatives. For Georgia families, this isn't about whether criminal justice is a viable major—it clearly is at several in-state schools—but whether this particular program positions graduates competitively in a crowded field where entry-level salaries already run modest.