Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southeastern Community College

Comparable Criminal Justice programs in Iowa suggest first-year earnings around $43,000—significantly above the national median of $33,000 for this credential. However, the four-year earnings figure of $28,866 reveals a troubling trajectory that should concern any parent. If that number is accurate, it suggests graduates in this field may not see the typical income progression, potentially due to limited advancement opportunities or high turnover in entry-level corrections and law enforcement positions.

The estimated debt of $11,750 is manageable relative to that initial $43,000 figure, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 that looks reasonable on paper. But that favorable ratio depends on maintaining those early earnings levels, which the four-year data suggests may not happen. Other Iowa community colleges with reported data—Hawkeye, Western Iowa Tech, and Des Moines Area—show first-year outcomes ranging from $39,000 to nearly $50,000, indicating real variation in program quality and employment networks across the state.

The takeaway: this associate's degree appears affordable and may deliver decent initial placement, but the earnings drop-off by year four raises questions about career sustainability in this field. Before committing, investigate whether this program leads to positions with actual advancement potential or simply entry-level roles with limited upward mobility.