Criminal Justice and Corrections at South University-Montgomery

South University-Montgomery's Criminal Justice program charges students more than twice the national median debt for this field while delivering earnings just above the state average. At $55,652 in debt versus $37,713 in first-year earnings, graduates face immediate financial strain that's significantly worse than the national norm for criminal justice programs.

The earnings picture offers modest improvement over time—growing to $42,478 by year four—which puts this program in the 60th percentile among Alabama schools. However, that state comparison reveals the real problem: the top criminal justice programs in Alabama produce graduates earning $60,000-$67,000 annually, nearly double what South University-Montgomery delivers. Meanwhile, Troy University—a public institution also in Alabama—achieves similar earnings outcomes with far less student debt.

For a family considering this program, the math is troubling. With 70% of students receiving Pell grants, this is clearly a school serving students who can least afford to take on excessive debt. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.48 means the typical graduate owes 18 months of their gross salary, creating a multi-year repayment burden in a field not known for high wages. Unless this school offers specific career connections or placement advantages not reflected in the data, families should explore Alabama's public universities or the state's higher-earning criminal justice programs before committing to this debt level.