Criminal Justice and Corrections at The University of Texas at San Antonio

UTSA's Criminal Justice program shows its real strength after year four, when graduates' earnings jump to $45,577—putting them ahead of the Texas median and approaching the national 75th percentile. That 28% earnings growth is impressive and suggests the degree opens doors over time rather than trapping graduates in entry-level positions. The modest starting debt of $21,875 means graduates aren't burdened during those crucial early years when salaries are still climbing.

The catch is that first year out. At $35,740, graduates earn slightly below both state and national medians, landing at the 40th percentile in Texas. They're making about $10,000 less than peers from top-performing programs like Wayland Baptist. For families, this means budgeting carefully during that initial period—though the 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable even then.

What matters most is the trajectory. By year four, UTSA graduates have nearly closed the gap with higher-ranked programs while carrying considerably less debt than the typical criminal justice graduate. For students seeking careers in law enforcement or corrections in the San Antonio area, where cost of living is reasonable, this represents solid value—especially given UTSA's accessibility and the program's proven track record with over 100 recent graduates.