Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Strayer University-Tennessee

Median Earnings (1yr)

$43,405

81st percentile

60th percentile in Tennessee

Median Debt

$56,937

118% above national median

Analysis

Strayer University-Tennessee's Criminal Justice program commands premium pricing for premium results. While graduates carry significantly more debt than typical—$56,937 versus a national median of $26,130—they earn substantially more than their peers, with first-year salaries of $43,405 that place them in the 81st percentile nationally. This earning power more than justifies the investment, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 1.31.

The Tennessee context reveals an interesting dynamic: while Strayer graduates out-earn the state median by nearly $8,000, they rank only in the 60th percentile among Tennessee programs. This suggests the state has several strong performers, including Bethel University ($54,207) and Cumberland University ($45,223). However, Strayer's robust 17% earnings growth to $50,636 by year four demonstrates solid career trajectory potential.

For families concerned about the higher debt load, consider that 86% of students receive Pell grants, indicating significant financial aid availability. The program serves a predominantly working-class population while delivering earnings that meaningfully exceed both national and state benchmarks. Given the reliable sample size and strong earning outcomes, this represents a solid investment despite the premium cost—particularly for students who secure substantial financial aid.

Where Strayer University-Tennessee Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Strayer University-Tennessee graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Strayer University-Tennessee	$43,405	$50,636	+17%
Bethel University	$54,207	$53,625	-1%
Cumberland University	$45,223	$47,688	+5%
Middle Tennessee State University	$37,952	$46,241	+22%
Austin Peay State University	$36,749	$45,655	+24%

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (25 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Strayer University-TennesseeMemphis	$13,920	$43,405	$50,636	$56,937	1.31
Bethel UniversityMcKenzie	$18,168	$54,207	$53,625	$31,250	0.58
Cumberland UniversityLebanon	$27,840	$45,223	$47,688	—	—
Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro	$9,506	$37,952	$46,241	$24,093	0.63
The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga	$10,144	$37,403	$38,871	$22,995	0.61
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville	$8,675	$36,749	$45,655	$25,281	0.69
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Strayer University-Tennessee, approximately 86% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 406 graduates with reported earnings and 673 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.