Criminal Justice and Corrections at Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses

Trine's regional criminal justice program starts graduates at $31,114—well below both the state median ($39,991) and national benchmark ($37,856). That early deficit matters even though earnings climb 29% by year four, because within Indiana alone, at least five programs launch graduates $15,000-$24,000 higher in starting salary. This ranks in just the bottom quarter of Indiana programs and bottom 5% nationally.

The $26,000 debt load sits near national norms, but the real issue is the first-year earnings gap. While the 0.84 debt ratio looks manageable on paper, it's cold comfort when comparable Indiana schools are placing graduates in positions paying $45,000+ right away. Those extra dollars compound over time: the four-year advantage of starting higher elsewhere likely exceeds the entire earnings trajectory shown here. For a selective program (22% admission rate) at a non-traditional campus, these outcomes raise questions about employment connections and career placement support.

If your child is committed to criminal justice in Indiana, look first at Vincennes, Purdue Global, or Oakland City—programs delivering immediate earnings 40-50% higher than Trine's regional campus. The moderate sample size here suggests established outcomes, not a data fluke, making this pattern hard to dismiss as temporary.