Criminal Justice and Corrections at Strayer University-North Carolina

Strayer University's criminal justice program commands premium pricing but delivers standout earnings that may justify the cost. Graduates earn $43,405 in their first year—significantly above both the national median ($37,856) and North Carolina's median ($34,463) for this field. The program ranks in the 80th percentile among North Carolina schools and 81st percentile nationally, placing it among the top-performing programs in a crowded field of 955 institutions.

The debt burden of $56,937 is substantial—more than double the national and state medians for criminal justice programs. However, the strong earnings performance helps offset this concern. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.31 means graduates can potentially pay off their loans within reasonable timeframes, especially given the 17% earnings growth to $50,636 by year four. For context, this program serves a predominantly Pell Grant population (80%), yet still achieves earnings that exceed most competitors.

While the high debt warrants careful consideration, the consistent earnings advantage over other North Carolina programs—including established names like Campbell University and University of Mount Olive—suggests this investment could pay off for students serious about criminal justice careers. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates adds confidence to these outcomes.