Criminal Justice and Corrections at Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Texas A&M-Central Texas graduates land jobs paying $46,000 in their first year—better than 95% of criminal justice programs nationwide and 80% in Texas. That's $10,000 above the national median and significantly ahead of Texas's typical $35,862. The $24,750 debt load is reasonable, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.54.

The problem emerges by year four, when median earnings drop to $33,511, a 27% decline that erases the initial advantage. This pattern likely reflects graduates taking entry-level law enforcement or corrections positions that pay well initially but offer limited advancement, or workers transitioning to adjacent fields with lower pay. Among Texas criminal justice programs, only five show stronger starting earnings, but those need to be weighed against this program's trajectory.

For families, this means front-loading career planning matters enormously. If your student enters a stable government law enforcement role with pension benefits and predictable raises, the early earnings advantage could compound over time. If they're uncertain about staying in the field or pursuing advancement, that sharp earnings decline becomes the defining factor. The 100% admission rate and nearly half of students on Pell grants suggest accessibility, but the moderate sample size means individual outcomes may vary more than these medians suggest.