Criminal Justice and Corrections at United Education Institute-Las Vegas

With first-year earnings of $23,026, this certificate barely reaches half the national median for criminal justice programs ($48,388). While the 40th percentile ranking among Nevada programs might sound middling, it means graduates are earning less than the state median of $26,707—and dramatically less than the top program in the state, where graduates earn $30,388. The 21% earnings growth to $27,886 by year four helps close the gap slightly, but still leaves graduates well below what's typical for this field.

The $9,500 in debt is lower than both state and national medians, which partially offsets the weak earnings picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 is manageable, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under six months of gross earnings. However, living on $23,000 annually in Las Vegas—where cost of living isn't trivial—makes even modest debt burdensome when you're starting out.

The core issue is that this certificate isn't opening doors to the better-paying positions in criminal justice and corrections. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on credentials that lead to stable, living-wage work. At these earnings levels, your child would likely need additional training or education to reach a sustainable income, which undermines the value of a standalone certificate. If criminal justice is the goal, look closely at what specific positions this credential qualifies for—and whether those jobs actually pay enough to justify even this relatively modest investment.