Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn nearly 50% more than typical criminal justice majors—$55,479 versus a national median of $37,856—while carrying slightly less debt. This program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally and delivers the strongest first-year outcomes among Maryland's criminal justice programs, beating even University of Baltimore by about $6,500. For parents wondering if their child's degree will actually pay off, these numbers make the answer straightforward.

The debt picture works in graduates' favor with a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning students owe roughly half their first year's salary—manageable territory that most can pay down within a reasonable timeframe. Earnings continue climbing to nearly $60,000 by year four, showing this isn't just a strong starting salary but a foundation for career progression. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates means these aren't fluky numbers from a handful of lucky outcomes.

UMGC's model as a primarily online institution serving working adults likely explains these strong outcomes—many students may already be employed in law enforcement or corrections and use the degree to advance into supervisory or specialized roles. If your child is similarly positioned or motivated, this program delivers clear economic value. Even for traditional students, graduating with significantly above-average earnings and below-average debt relative to the field makes this one of the safer bets in criminal justice education.