Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

A criminal justice certificate leading to estimated first-year earnings of $48,388 positions graduates reasonably well compared to Arkansas's criminal justice market, where the median sits at $40,468. However, these figures come from national peer programs rather than UAPB's specific outcomes, and the estimated $15,414 in debt is notably higher than the $7,100 median for similar Arkansas programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 remains manageable—graduates would owe less than four months' salary—but the elevated borrowing for what's essentially a sub-degree credential deserves scrutiny.

The earnings estimate aligns with national standards for criminal justice certificates, which typically produce $48,388 in first-year income. Whether UAPB's program tracks with that benchmark or closer to Arkansas's lower state median remains unknown given the suppressed data. For a university serving primarily Pell-eligible students (67%), even moderate debt can strain budgets, and certificates generally offer less earning power than bachelor's degrees in the same field.

Before committing, compare this program's cost structure against community college alternatives in Arkansas that deliver similar credentials with substantially less borrowing. If your child needs a quick pathway into law enforcement or corrections, the estimated numbers suggest viability—but only if actual costs align with these debt projections and the school can demonstrate recent graduate placement success.