Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Akron Main Campus

University of Akron's Criminal Justice program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack—ranking in the 60th percentile among Ohio schools and just above the national median. Graduates start around $38,500, which edges out both the state median ($36,600) and national average ($37,900) by a modest margin. The $27,000 debt load is typical for the field, translating to a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four years out, earnings climb to $42,300, showing steady if unspectacular growth.

The comparison to top Ohio programs is sobering—Herzing University grads earn nearly 75% more at $67,200, while several other schools cluster around $42,000-$44,000. Akron graduates are essentially hitting that four-year earning mark right out of the gate at these institutions. That said, criminal justice isn't typically a high-earning field anywhere, and Akron's outcomes align with what most programs deliver nationally.

For families prioritizing affordability and steady employment in law enforcement or corrections, Akron provides a predictable pathway without excessive debt. The program won't position graduates at the top of the field earnings-wise, but it delivers reasonable value relative to cost. If your child is set on criminal justice and wants to stay near Northeast Ohio, this works—just understand the ceiling here is relatively low compared to other bachelor's degrees.