Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southeastern Louisiana University

If you're shopping for criminal justice programs in Louisiana, Southeastern delivers solid middle-of-the-pack results. Graduates earn about $35,000 initially—below the national average but comfortably above the state median of $33,500. That 60th percentile state ranking matters: in a field where Louisiana programs generally underperform, Southeastern's graduates are doing better than most in-state peers. The $25,000 debt load is reasonable, creating a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio that stays well within federal guidelines.

The trajectory looks encouraging. Earnings grow 15% to just over $40,000 by year four, suggesting steady career progression rather than the stagnation common in some public safety fields. Still, context is crucial: criminal justice isn't a high-earning field anywhere. Even Louisiana's top program (excluding an outlier private school) only hits $40,000, meaning Southeastern puts students just $500 shy of that benchmark after four years.

For families prioritizing affordability and in-state opportunities, this program works. Your child will graduate with manageable debt and earnings comparable to other Louisiana criminal justice graduates, all while attending an accessible state university. Just understand you're choosing a public service career path where $40,000 after four years represents success, not a limitation of this particular program.