Location: Kearney, NE•In-State Tuition: $8,302•Out-of-State Tuition: $14,260•Admission Rate: 86%•Avg SAT: 1089
Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,128
63rd percentile
60th percentile in Nebraska
Median Debt
$19,250
26% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.48 ManageableSample: 35 graduates

Analysis

At $40,128 in first-year earnings, University of Nebraska at Kearney's criminal justice graduates earn above both national and Nebraska medians for this field—but the real story is the debt. With just $19,250 owed at graduation, these students carry roughly $7,000 less than peer programs statewide and $7,000 less than the national median. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning graduates can potentially pay off their loans in under six months of gross salary if they're aggressive about it. Among similar programs nationally, this debt level ranks in the 95th percentile for affordability.

The program performs solidly within Nebraska, landing at the 60th percentile for earnings—competitive but not exceptional. UNK trails the state's top programs like Nebraska-Lincoln by about $2,000 annually, though the earnings gap is modest enough that the debt advantage likely matters more for most families. Four-year earnings reach $43,670, showing reasonable 9% growth that suggests stable career progression in law enforcement or corrections roles.

For families concerned about education debt, this program delivers clear value: respectable earnings with significantly lower financial burden than alternatives. The combination makes it a practical choice for students committed to criminal justice careers, particularly those who want to stay in Nebraska where these credentials translate directly to state and local agency hiring.

Where University of Nebraska at Kearney Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

University of Nebraska at KearneyOther criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Nebraska at Kearney earns $40k — 63th percentile among criminal justice and corrections bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Nebraska at Kearney$40,128$43,670+9%
University of Nebraska-Lincoln$42,139$48,456+15%
Peru State College$38,953$47,968+23%
University of Nebraska at Omaha$38,756$47,529+23%
Wayne State College$41,869$43,228+3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney$8,302$40,128$43,670$19,2500.48
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln$10,108$42,139$48,456——
Wayne State CollegeWayne$7,970$41,869$43,228$25,0000.60
Midland UniversityFremont$40,270$41,149$42,635$27,0000.66
Peru State CollegePeru$8,280$38,953$47,968$27,3670.70
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha$8,370$38,756$47,529$22,5610.58
National Median—$37,856—$26,1300.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
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 Nebraska at Kearney, approximately 34% 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 35 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.