Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Central Oklahoma

University of Central Oklahoma's criminal justice program sits right at the Oklahoma median for earnings while carrying slightly more debt than typical state programs—a positioning that reveals both its accessibility and its limits. At $39,609 in first-year earnings, graduates match the state average exactly and outpace the national benchmark by about $1,750. However, the program ranks in the 76th percentile nationally for debt, meaning only a quarter of similar programs leave students with higher balances.

The real gap appears when comparing UCO to top Oklahoma options. University of Oklahoma graduates earn $13,000 more annually—a substantial premium that compounds over a career in law enforcement or corrections. Even East Central and Northeastern State edge ahead by a couple thousand dollars while maintaining similar debt loads. The 12% earnings growth to $44,492 by year four helps narrow this gap somewhat, but it doesn't close it entirely.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 remains manageable—graduates should handle their monthly payments on typical criminal justice salaries. The question is whether UCO offers enough value given that peers across Oklahoma produce similar or better results at comparable prices. Unless location in Edmond specifically matters for your student's career plans, exploring those higher-earning alternatives makes sense before committing.