Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

UCCS's criminal justice program outperforms three-quarters of similar programs nationally while keeping debt remarkably low—graduates owe just $18,625, less than half the national median of $26,130. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning students can realistically pay off their loans within a year or two of focused repayment. The earnings of $42,199 match Colorado's state median for this field, placing this program squarely in the middle of the pack locally but well above most programs nationwide.

The financial picture is unusually clean for criminal justice, a field often plagued by high debt loads. While UCCS doesn't reach the earnings heights of Colorado State Global's online program ($61,786), it costs students far less to get there and still outpaces more expensive options like University of Northern Colorado. The 13% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests steady career progression rather than a plateau.

For parents concerned about their child taking on debt for a public safety career, this represents one of the more sensible paths available. The combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates genuine financial breathing room after graduation. If your child is committed to criminal justice work, UCCS delivers the credential without the financial burden that could shadow them for years.