Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Michigan-Dearborn

Among Michigan's criminal justice programs, University of Michigan-Dearborn lands in the 40th percentile—trailing the state median by roughly $10,000 at the four-year mark. That gap matters when you consider graduates at Ferris State or Baker College start nearly $5,000 ahead. The program does offset some concern with relatively manageable debt: at $29,692, borrowers face a 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is less burdensome than many similar programs nationwide.

The 31% earnings jump from year one to year four shows graduates gain traction in the field, reaching nearly $50,000 by their fourth year. That growth trajectory suggests the degree opens doors to career advancement within law enforcement or corrections. However, starting at $37,469 means the first few years require careful budgeting, especially if loan payments kick in immediately.

For families weighing this program, the central question is whether UM-Dearborn's institutional reputation justifies the below-median Michigan outcomes. With 44% of students on Pell grants, the university serves many cost-conscious families, but those families should know that several in-state alternatives deliver stronger immediate earnings. If your child is committed to criminal justice and values the broader university environment, the manageable debt makes this workable—just understand they'll likely earn less than peers who graduate from programs higher up Michigan's rankings.