Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southwestern College

Southwestern College's Criminal Justice graduates report first-year earnings of $60,820—far exceeding what most programs produce. That figure puts them ahead of every other Criminal Justice bachelor's program in Kansas with reported data, including schools like Fort Hays ($42,428) and Wichita State ($38,102). At an estimated debt load of $27,000 (derived from similar private colleges nationally), the program appears financially solid on paper.

The concern here is what happens next. Earnings drop to $51,197 by year four—a 16% decline that's unusual for any bachelor's degree. This could reflect graduates moving from higher-paying entry positions into roles with different career trajectories, or it might signal volatility in local law enforcement and corrections markets. Either way, it suggests the strong starting salary may not be sustainable. The debt estimate, while manageable given the first-year earnings, becomes less comfortable if that downward trend continues.

Given the exceptional starting numbers but uncertain earnings path, this program warrants a closer look at where specific graduates are landing. Are they starting in specialized federal positions that don't last? Moving into nonprofit or social service work after initial stints in enforcement? Understanding the story behind that earnings drop would help determine whether Southwestern's program is genuinely outperforming peers or whether its graduates face unique career challenges after year one.