Criminal Justice and Corrections at SUNY at Fredonia

SUNY Fredonia's criminal justice program starts rough but finishes surprisingly strong. That $30,168 first-year salary ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—significantly below the $37,856 national median and even trailing New York's state median of $35,291. The 40th percentile ranking among New York programs confirms this isn't a standout start compared to in-state alternatives.

However, the 74% earnings jump to $52,417 by year four tells a different story. This growth trajectory suggests graduates either need time to land law enforcement positions (which often require academy training and probationary periods) or are pursuing graduate degrees that boost earning power. The $25,000 debt load is reasonable and slightly below both state and national medians, making the initial earnings dip more manageable than it might otherwise be.

The real question for parents is whether their child can weather those lean early years. If your student plans to live at home initially or has financial support during academy training, this program could work out fine. But families counting on immediate financial independence after graduation should know that unlike top New York programs like Excelsior ($62,703) or Utica ($45,521), Fredonia requires patience before the degree pays off.