Criminal Justice and Corrections at Strayer University-Mississippi

Despite significantly higher tuition costs, Strayer University-Mississippi's Criminal Justice program delivers strong earning outcomes that justify the premium. Graduates earn $43,405 in their first year—placing them in the 81st percentile nationally and well above Mississippi's median of $35,540 for similar programs. More importantly, earnings grow to $50,636 by year four, representing solid 17% growth that suggests good career trajectory potential.

The major concern is debt load: at $56,937, graduates carry more than double the typical debt for criminal justice programs both nationally ($26,130) and in Mississippi ($26,448). This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.31, meaning graduates owe about 1.3 times their first-year salary. However, the strong earnings performance—ranking highest among Mississippi's criminal justice programs—helps offset this burden over time.

For families who can handle the higher debt load, this program offers a clear earnings advantage over in-state alternatives like University of Mississippi ($31,875) or Mississippi College ($37,324). The 83% Pell grant recipient rate indicates the school serves many first-generation college students successfully. While the debt is substantial, the earning power makes this a defensible choice for students committed to criminal justice careers, especially compared to lower-performing in-state options.