Criminal Justice and Corrections at Strayer University-Alabama

Strayer University-Alabama's Criminal Justice program commands premium pricing that may not align with typical career outcomes in this field. While graduates earn $43,405 in their first year—significantly above both national ($37,856) and Alabama ($36,216) medians—they're saddled with $56,937 in debt, more than double what students typically borrow for this degree nationwide.

The debt burden creates a concerning financial picture. That $56,937 represents 1.31 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates will likely struggle with monthly payments that could reach $600-700. Even as earnings grow to $50,636 by year four, the debt load remains substantial. Among Alabama's criminal justice programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings but carries debt levels far exceeding state norms.

For context, other Alabama options deliver comparable or better outcomes with less financial risk. Troy University graduates earn nearly identical salaries ($41,780) with presumably lower debt, while Herzing University-Birmingham graduates significantly outperform at $67,229. Given that 83% of Strayer students receive Pell grants, many families may find better value elsewhere. Unless your child has specific reasons to choose Strayer's format or location, Alabama offers several criminal justice programs that provide similar career preparation without the heavy debt load.