Criminal Justice and Corrections at Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University's criminal justice program ranks in the bottom 13% nationally for earnings, with graduates earning just $32,033 in their first year—well below both the national ($37,856) and Texas ($35,862) medians. While the program performs better relative to other Texas schools (40th percentile statewide), that's largely because Texas has numerous low-performing programs. Graduates here earn $10,000-$21,000 less than peers at top Texas public universities like Lamar or Texas A&M-Central Texas.

The debt picture offers the only bright spot: at $18,999, it's significantly lower than both state and national averages. The 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 7 months of pre-tax income—manageable compared to many programs. This reflects Sul Ross's role as an affordable regional institution serving a high-need student population (52% receive Pell grants).

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: this program won't position your child for higher-paying law enforcement or corrections roles. Criminal justice careers vary widely in compensation, and this program appears to lead toward the lower-paying entry points in the field. The modest debt load makes it less risky than higher-cost alternatives, but families should verify that expected career paths align with these earnings levels. If your child is considering law enforcement in Texas, investigating why other Texas programs produce substantially higher earners would be worthwhile.