Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Houston-Victoria
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
At $35,015 in first-year earnings, University of Houston-Victoria's Criminal Justice program falls below both the Texas median ($35,862) and national median ($37,856), landing in the 40th percentile statewide. More concerning is the gap with top Texas programs—graduates from Wayland Baptist and University of Phoenix-Texas earn roughly $18,000 more annually. This suggests that for students interested in criminal justice careers in Texas, school selection matters significantly for earnings potential.
The positive news: debt levels at $27,000 are manageable, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 that stays within reasonable bounds. Earnings do grow to $40,677 by year four, a 16% increase that brings graduates closer to parity with state averages. For students who can attend UH-Victoria at in-state rates and plan to stay in the Victoria area where costs of living are lower, these numbers could work—but only if expectations about starting salaries are realistic.
If your child is committed to criminal justice and this is their most affordable option, the program won't create crushing debt. However, students with options should seriously compare other Texas schools. Programs at Lamar University or Texas A&M-Central Texas deliver $8,000-$11,000 more in first-year earnings for similar debt levels, potentially adding hundreds of thousands to lifetime earnings. Geographic flexibility and willingness to explore other campuses could meaningfully improve the return on this degree.
Where University of Houston-Victoria Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of Houston-Victoria graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of Houston-Victoria graduates earn $35k, placing them in the 30th percentile of all criminal justice and corrections bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (62 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston-Victoria | $35,015 | $40,677 | $27,000 | 0.77 |
| Wayland Baptist University | $53,038 | $47,490 | $25,000 | 0.47 |
| University of Phoenix-Texas | $47,987 | $44,185 | $46,989 | 0.98 |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas | $45,976 | $33,511 | $24,750 | 0.54 |
| Texas Wesleyan University | $44,328 | $44,073 | $26,000 | 0.59 |
| Lamar University | $43,707 | $50,559 | $31,000 | 0.71 |
| National Median | $37,856 | — | $26,130 | 0.69 |
Other Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland Baptist University Plainview | $23,186 | $53,038 | $25,000 |
| University of Phoenix-Texas Dallas | — | $47,987 | $46,989 |
| Texas A&M University-Central Texas Killeen | $6,627 | $45,976 | $24,750 |
| Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth | $37,934 | $44,328 | $26,000 |
| Lamar University Beaumont | $8,690 | $43,707 | $31,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Houston-Victoria, approximately 44% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 50 graduates with reported earnings and 55 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.