Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern University and A & M College

Southern University's Criminal Justice program sits at a crossroads: relatively affordable for Louisiana ($31,000 in debt is near the state median), but with earnings that lag most alternatives. Graduates earn $32,499 initially, placing the program in just the 16th percentile nationally but closer to the middle of Louisiana's options at the 40th percentile. While earnings do grow modestly to $34,246 by year four, this is still several thousand dollars below what graduates earn at comparable state schools like Southeastern Louisiana or UL Lafayette.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 means students borrow nearly a full year's salary, which is manageable but tight—particularly for criminal justice careers that often have modest starting salaries in government and corrections work. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (65%), making affordability crucial, yet these graduates are earning less than peers at other Louisiana public universities while taking on similar debt loads.

For families prioritizing staying in Louisiana and needing lower tuition costs, this program provides access to a degree. However, if your child can gain admission to UL Lafayette or Southeastern Louisiana, those programs deliver meaningfully higher earnings with comparable debt. Before committing, verify what specific career outcomes Southern's graduates achieve—sometimes HBCU alumni networks and regional connections can offset what the raw numbers suggest.