Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at The University of Texas at El Paso

Median Earnings (1yr)

$33,304

20th percentile

40th percentile in Texas

Median Debt

$19,381

26% below national median

Analysis

UTEP's Criminal Justice program stands out for delivering exceptional debt management while producing graduates whose earnings accelerate significantly over time. With median debt of just $19,381—far below both the national ($26,130) and Texas ($25,834) averages—students graduate with manageable financial obligations that represent only 58 cents for every dollar earned in the first year.

While starting salaries of $33,304 place graduates in the 20th percentile nationally, the program's strength becomes clear over time. Earnings jump 30% to $43,145 by year four, and within Texas, UTEP performs at the 40th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack among 62 programs statewide. This suggests the low national ranking reflects the broader market challenges facing criminal justice graduates rather than program-specific weaknesses.

For families prioritizing affordability and long-term earning potential over immediate high salaries, UTEP offers compelling value. The combination of minimal debt and strong earnings growth creates a foundation for financial stability that many higher-debt programs cannot match. Given that 61% of students receive Pell grants, this program effectively serves students who need both quality education and financial accessibility in pursuing criminal justice careers.

Where The University of Texas at El Paso Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How The University of Texas at El Paso 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
The University of Texas at El Paso	$33,304	$43,145	+30%
Texas Christian University	$34,556	$61,238	+77%
Hardin-Simmons University	$39,445	$52,024	+32%
Angelo State University	$35,955	$51,462	+43%
University of Houston-Downtown	$42,122	$50,850	+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (62 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso	$9,744	$33,304	$43,145	$19,381	0.58
Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview	$23,186	$53,038	$47,490	$25,000	0.47
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas	—	$47,987	$44,185	$46,989	0.98
Texas A&M University-Central TexasKilleen	$6,627	$45,976	$33,511	$24,750	0.54
Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth	$37,934	$44,328	$44,073	$26,000	0.59
Lamar UniversityBeaumont	$8,690	$43,707	$50,559	$31,000	0.71
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 The University of Texas at El Paso, approximately 61% 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 373 graduates with reported earnings and 343 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.