Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of North Texas at Dallas

Four years out, graduates from this program earn $40,743—a figure that sits below the top criminal justice programs in Texas but tracks closely with typical outcomes statewide. The estimated first-year earnings of $35,862 reflect what similar programs across Texas produce, suggesting a starting salary that's modest but not unusual for the field. By year four, there's visible income growth, though the trajectory doesn't match schools like Wayland Baptist or Texas A&M-Central Texas, where graduates earn $10,000 to $12,000 more annually.

The estimated $23,062 in debt is notably lower than both state and national medians for criminal justice bachelor's programs, which typically run around $26,000. This gives UNT Dallas graduates some breathing room: a 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio means they'd owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary, manageable by most standards. The school serves a largely Pell-eligible population, and keeping debt below typical levels matters for students without family wealth to fall back on.

The practical question is whether this program's estimated outcomes justify four years of study when peer institutions in Texas demonstrate materially better earnings potential. If your child can access those higher-performing programs—and can manage any additional cost or admissions hurdles—the income difference compounds significantly over a career. If UNT Dallas is the accessible option with contained debt, it delivers outcomes consistent with the field statewide, just not at the top of the range.