Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Arkansas at Little Rock

With an estimated debt load of $12,000—well below both the state median of $25,496 and the national benchmark of $14,230—this associate's program appears positioned to offer relatively quick debt payback. The estimated first-year earnings of $36,076, drawn from comparable Arkansas criminal justice programs, aligns exactly with the state median and exceeds the national figure by nearly $3,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 suggests graduates could potentially clear their loans within a year or two of focused repayment, assuming the estimates hold.

The challenge with this program is the uncertainty itself. Because the graduate sample is too small to generate reportable data, we're looking at projections based on other Arkansas programs rather than this specific pathway's track record. Criminal justice careers in Arkansas—spanning corrections, probation, court services, and law enforcement support roles—typically offer steady employment but modest starting pay. The three programs with actual reported data show a tight earnings range ($34,904 to $39,043), which lends some credibility to the estimates but doesn't tell you whether UA Little Rock's specific curriculum, location advantages, or employer connections produce better or worse results.

The practical question: can your family afford this investment even if the estimates prove optimistic? At $12,000 in debt, the downside risk is manageable compared to many associate's programs. If your child needs this credential for Arkansas public sector work and the alternatives cost significantly more, the financial case holds. But understand you're betting on peer program performance, not this school's proven outcomes.