Criminal Justice and Corrections at Strayer University-South Carolina

Strayer University's Criminal Justice program commands premium pricing but delivers strong earning outcomes that may justify the investment. Graduates earn $43,405 in their first year—ranking in the 81st percentile nationally and outpacing both the national median ($37,856) and South Carolina median ($36,747) by substantial margins. However, this comes at a steep cost: median debt of $56,937 is more than double the national average and twice South Carolina's typical debt load for this field.

The debt burden creates a challenging financial equation initially, with graduates owing 1.31 times their first-year salary. Yet the program shows promising trajectory—earnings grow 17% to $50,636 by year four, which helps improve the debt-to-income picture over time. Among South Carolina's criminal justice programs, Strayer ranks solidly in the middle (60th percentile) for earnings, trailing schools like Columbia College but competitive with regional options.

For families considering this investment, the key question is whether the higher debt load is worth accessing Strayer's career services and potential networking advantages. With 79% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are already stretching financially. The strong national ranking suggests quality outcomes, but parents should carefully compare total program costs against state schools that might offer similar career prospects with significantly less debt.