Criminal Justice and Corrections at The University of Findlay

With estimated debt of $22,119 and first-year earnings around $38,500 based on comparable Ohio programs, this associate's degree puts graduates roughly $8,000 below what some of the state's stronger criminal justice programs produce. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 means borrowers would owe about seven months' salary—manageable on paper, but tight when you're making $38,500 annually in a field where entry-level positions rarely come with generous benefits.

The estimated debt figure here exceeds both the Ohio state median ($16,799) and the national median ($14,230) for this credential, while earnings track right at Ohio's average. That's a concerning imbalance for a two-year degree. Programs at Ohio University campuses are placing graduates into $44,000-plus jobs, suggesting that location, internship networks, or curriculum focus can make a meaningful difference in criminal justice outcomes. Findlay's private school structure likely explains the higher borrowing, but parents should question whether that premium translates to better job placement.

The reality is that criminal justice associate's degrees are pathway credentials—they get you considered for corrections officer or police recruit positions that might otherwise require years of work experience. If your child can complete this program with significantly less than $22,000 in debt (through scholarships or community college transfer), the investment makes more sense. Above that threshold, you're paying premium prices for median outcomes in a field where the bachelor's degree increasingly matters for advancement.