Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's Criminal Justice program delivers exceptional earning potential that far exceeds national expectations. Graduates earn a median of $45,836 in their first year—ranking in the 94th percentile nationally and significantly outperforming the national median of $37,856. This represents nearly $8,000 more than typical criminal justice graduates earn nationwide. The program also shows strong earning growth, with salaries jumping 37% to $62,737 by year four.

The debt picture is reasonable at $31,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68. While this is slightly above New Hampshire's state median debt of $27,000, it's well below the national debt median and ranks in the favorable 22nd percentile nationally. Within New Hampshire, the program performs solidly at the 60th percentile for earnings, essentially matching top performers like New England College while significantly outearning state schools like Plymouth State and Franklin Pierce.

For parents considering this investment, the numbers are compelling. Your child would graduate with debt that's less than two-thirds of their first-year salary—a favorable ratio that indicates strong financial viability. The combination of high national earnings performance and reasonable debt makes this program a solid choice, particularly given SNHU's accessibility (96% admission rate) and support for working-class students (47% receive Pell grants).