Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at South University-Montgomery

Median Earnings (1yr)

$37,713

49th percentile

60th percentile in Alabama

Median Debt

$55,652

113% above national median

Analysis

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.

Where South University-Montgomery Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How South University-Montgomery graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
South University-Montgomery	$37,713	$42,478	+13%
Columbia Southern University	$60,461	$60,062	-1%
Herzing University-Birmingham	$67,229	$58,875	-12%
Strayer University-Alabama	$43,405	$50,636	+17%
Auburn University at Montgomery	$38,710	$47,219	+22%

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
South University-MontgomeryMontgomery	$18,238	$37,713	$42,478	$55,652	1.48
Herzing University-BirminghamBirmingham	$13,420	$67,229	$58,875	$28,399	0.42
Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach	$5,808	$60,461	$60,062	$30,204	0.50
Faulkner UniversityMontgomery	$23,920	$54,704	$40,352	$28,250	0.52
Strayer University-AlabamaBirmingham	$13,920	$43,405	$50,636	$56,937	1.31
Troy UniversityTroy	$9,792	$41,780	$40,717	$25,000	0.60
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At South University-Montgomery, approximately 70% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 76 graduates with reported earnings and 110 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.