Criminal Justice and Corrections at South University-Austin

South University-Austin's criminal justice program carries a serious debt burden that overshadows its otherwise decent performance. While graduates earn slightly above the Texas median—placing in the 60th percentile statewide—they're starting their careers with $55,652 in debt, more than double what students pay at most other Texas programs. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.48, meaning graduates owe roughly 1.5 times their first-year salary. For context, the average criminal justice graduate in Texas carries just $25,834 in debt.

The earnings trajectory shows modest growth, with salaries climbing from $37,713 to $42,478 over four years. That's positive but not enough to offset the debt disadvantage. To put this in perspective: Lamar University graduates earn more ($43,707 initially) while carrying half the debt. Even Texas A&M-Central Texas, with starting salaries around $46,000, would leave graduates in a stronger financial position despite higher earnings here.

For families considering this program, the math is challenging. That debt load will translate to monthly payments around $600-700 for a decade, consuming a significant chunk of an entry-level criminal justice salary. Unless your child has substantial scholarships that would bring debt below $30,000, other Texas programs offer better value for the same credential. The career path matters, but so does starting your professional life without an anchor of high-interest debt.