Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Alaska Southeast

Based on comparable criminal justice programs nationally, this degree carries an estimated debt burden of nearly $25,000 against first-year earnings around $38,000—a ratio that suggests manageable repayment. That debt-to-earnings figure of 0.66 falls below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates should theoretically be able to handle their loans if they secure positions in their field.

However, context matters considerably in Alaska's unique job market. The two UA campuses with reported data show a $4,400 spread in outcomes, with Anchorage graduates earning roughly $39,000 and Fairbanks closer to $34,600. UAS sits in Juneau, Alaska's capital city where state government and law enforcement opportunities might differ from these comparison points. Criminal justice careers often depend heavily on local hiring patterns—state troopers, corrections officers, and court system positions cluster around government centers—making location particularly relevant for this field.

The challenge is that with only four programs statewide and limited graduate cohorts, you're making a decision with substantial uncertainty about what UAS specifically delivers. If your student plans to stay in Alaska after graduation, investigate whether Juneau's government concentration translates to better placement rates, or whether graduates typically need to relocate to Anchorage or Fairbanks anyway. The estimated debt load isn't alarming, but you'll want concrete placement data from the school itself before committing.