Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

UL Lafayette's Criminal Justice program occupies an interesting middle ground: while it underperforms the national median by about $2,000 annually, it outperforms the typical Louisiana program in this field. Among the state's 16 criminal justice programs, graduates here earn more than 60% of their peers—a meaningful advantage when competing primarily for in-state law enforcement and corrections positions. The $23,557 debt load is also roughly $6,000 below Louisiana's median for this major, though it sits higher than the national median.

The practical math is straightforward: first-year earnings of $35,872 with manageable debt (66% of annual earnings) allow graduates to service loans without undue hardship. The 9% earnings growth to nearly $39,000 by year four suggests steady career progression, though you won't see the dramatic salary jumps typical of fields like nursing or engineering. This is a working-class profession with predictable, incremental advancement.

For Louisiana residents planning careers in state or local law enforcement, this program makes financial sense—it delivers above-average outcomes for the region at below-average cost. But if your child is considering out-of-state tuition or harbors ambitions beyond frontline criminal justice work, recognize that nearby Herzing and LSU-Alexandria produce significantly higher earners. The 89% admission rate means access is open, so the decision really hinges on whether criminal justice employment aligns with long-term career goals.