Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

UC Denver's criminal justice program delivers earnings that outpace 94% of similar programs nationwide, yet this impressive national standing tells only part of the story. First-year graduates earn $45,814—significantly above both the national median ($37,856) and Colorado's median ($42,199)—but the program sits in the middle of the pack statewide, ranking at the 60th percentile among Colorado's nine criminal justice programs. For context, Colorado State University Global's grads earn $61,786, suggesting UC Denver students could be leaving money on the table if career services or networking opportunities differ significantly between programs.

The financial picture is straightforward: with $22,250 in median debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49, graduates typically owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard and better than the national debt median of $26,130. The 9% earnings bump from year one to year four is modest but steady, reaching nearly $50,000—a solid middle-class income in most Colorado markets outside Denver proper.

For families seeking a reliable path into law enforcement, corrections, or related fields, this program works. The debt load won't be crushing, and the earnings clear standard benchmarks comfortably. Just recognize that within Colorado, this isn't the highest-earning option in the field, so maximizing the degree's value may depend on where graduates land their first job and how well they leverage Denver's proximity to state and federal agencies.