Criminal Justice and Corrections at State University of New York at Oswego

SUNY Oswego's Criminal Justice program starts graduates at $34,561—below both the national and New York medians—but here's the twist: by year four, earnings jump to $48,144, a 39% increase that suggests graduates are landing positions with real advancement potential. That kind of trajectory is uncommon in criminal justice, where earnings often plateau quickly.

The debt picture strengthens the case. At $25,788, graduates owe slightly less than typical for this field, making first-year payments manageable even with the modest starting salary. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly three-quarters of one year's salary in debt—reasonable for a degree that shows strong earning growth. Within New York, this program sits squarely in the middle (40th percentile), significantly behind top performers like Excelsior or Utica but ahead of most in-state options.

For parents wondering if this is worth the investment: SUNY Oswego isn't producing the highest-paid criminal justice graduates right out of the gate, but the four-year numbers tell a more promising story. If your child plans to build a career in law enforcement or corrections—fields where advancement matters more than starting salary—this combination of affordable debt and solid growth makes practical sense. Just understand they'll need to navigate those leaner early years strategically.