Criminal Justice and Corrections at Thomas More University

Thomas More's criminal justice program lands right in the middle of Kentucky's competitive landscape, with first-year earnings of $35,115 placing it ahead of the state median but trailing programs at Louisville and several other regional options. While complete debt data isn't available from this specific program, similar criminal justice bachelor's programs in Kentucky typically carry around $22,330 in student loans—a manageable figure that would require roughly eight months of gross earnings to repay.

The bigger question is whether criminal justice as a field delivers adequate returns at this credential level. Nationally, these bachelor's programs produce median earnings near $38,000, and Thomas More's outcomes fall about $2,700 below that benchmark. Criminal justice careers often start at modest salaries, with significant earnings growth tied to years of service, promotions, and specialized certifications rather than initial degree prestige. A debt load in the low-$20,000s won't cripple a graduate, but it also won't provide much financial breathing room on a $35,000 starting salary.

For families weighing this investment, the program offers reasonable value if your child is genuinely committed to law enforcement, corrections, or related public service work. The school's 97% admission rate means access is straightforward, but the graduate outcomes suggest this is a practical career pathway rather than a high-earning one. If your child is exploring criminal justice casually or hasn't ruled out other fields, comparing this with other majors at Thomas More—or criminal justice programs at Kentucky's public universities—would be worthwhile before committing.