Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Georgia

University of Georgia's criminal justice graduates start modestly but see meaningful momentum, with earnings jumping 35% to reach $50,643 by year four. While the initial $37,405 salary lands near the national median, this program outperforms 60% of Georgia's criminal justice programs—a notable achievement in a state with 37 competing options, including several that deliver significantly higher starting salaries.

The debt picture offers real relief. At $22,978, UGA graduates carry about $7,700 less debt than the typical Georgia criminal justice major and roughly $3,200 below the national benchmark. This matters because even with that modest starting salary, the debt load represents just 0.61 times first-year earnings—manageable by most standards. Compare this to many in-state competitors where debt exceeds $30,000.

The tradeoff is straightforward: students sacrifice the immediate higher earnings available at places like Herzing ($67,229) or Reinhardt ($62,019) in exchange for UGA's stronger credential and lower debt burden. For families confident in their graduate's long-term career trajectory, that 35% earnings growth suggests staying power. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means some variability year to year, but the fundamentals—reasonable debt, steady growth, and solid in-state standing—make this a defensible choice for Georgia residents, especially those entering with clear career goals in law enforcement or corrections management.