Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's Criminal Justice program carries the lowest debt burden you'll find anywhere—graduates leave with just $17,500 compared to a national median of $26,130. That's a meaningful advantage, representing roughly $100 less per month in loan payments over a standard repayment period. Starting earnings of $39,744 produce a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, well within manageable territory and better than 61% of similar programs nationwide.

The challenge is that within Utah, this program lags behind the state median of $41,512, placing it in the 40th percentile statewide. Utah Valley and Weber State graduates earn roughly $4,000 more annually in comparable roles—a gap that compounds over time. The 9% earnings growth to $43,401 by year four helps close this distance somewhat, but doesn't fully eliminate it.

For families prioritizing affordability, this program delivers on that front. The debt load is genuinely low, and graduates aren't starting from a hole. But if your student has admission options at UVU or Weber State, the higher starting salaries at those schools may justify whatever additional cost they carry. The program works, but it's positioned as the budget-conscious choice rather than the earnings leader in Utah's criminal justice landscape.