Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Arkansas Grantham

University of Arkansas Grantham's criminal justice program charges significantly more than most associate's programs—$25,422 in median debt versus a national median of $14,230—but graduates initially earn enough to justify the premium. First-year earnings of $39,043 beat 76% of similar programs nationwide and exceed the state median by about $3,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 is manageable, meaning graduates earn roughly 50% more than they owe.

The concerning pattern emerges over time: earnings drop to $35,612 by year four, a 9% decline that's unusual for any credential. This could reflect graduates moving between positions in law enforcement or corrections, where schedules and benefits vary widely, or simply the volatility of this field for associate's-level positions. Among Arkansas programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional when you're paying nearly double the state median debt.

For families comfortable with the higher borrowing, the strong initial earnings provide breathing room, and the program serves a predominantly working-class student body (62% receive Pell grants). But if your child can access a comparable program at Arkansas Tech or National Park College with similar outcomes at half the debt load, that's worth serious consideration. The value here depends entirely on whether the online format or other institutional factors justify the price premium.