Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southwest Texas College

Southwest Texas College's criminal justice certificate leaves graduates earning roughly $14,000 less than the typical Texas graduate in this field—and $7,000 below the national median. At just the 25th percentile among Texas programs, this means three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better earnings outcomes. Compare that to top Texas performers like Laredo College ($72,049) or Lamar Institute of Technology ($71,733), and the gap becomes even starker. The minimal earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates aren't advancing into better-paid positions over time.

The program does have one clear advantage: exceptionally low debt. At $5,125, borrowers owe less than half what's typical both nationally and statewide, which translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.12. For graduates who can immediately land work, those small monthly payments won't strain budgets. However, the lower debt doesn't offset the persistent earnings gap—a difference of $14,000 annually adds up to far more than the debt savings over a career.

If your child is committed to criminal justice in South Texas and can attend with minimal additional costs, this certificate won't create a debt burden. But families should recognize they're trading lower earnings potential for that convenience. Students willing to relocate or commute to higher-performing community colleges in Texas could significantly improve their earning prospects in the same field.