Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa's criminal justice program graduates earn $43,748 their first year out—nearly $6,000 above the national median and roughly on par with Iowa's state median. That puts UNI in the 83rd percentile nationally, though it lands squarely in the middle of Iowa programs at the 60th percentile. With modest debt of just $19,500 (about $7,000 less than typical for this field), graduates face a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio that should allow for comfortable repayment.

What stands out here is the value equation: UNI delivers earnings comparable to more expensive private institutions in Iowa while keeping debt significantly lower. The program costs roughly $7,500 less in debt than the state median, yet produces similar first-year salaries. For families watching costs—especially at a school where 24% of students receive Pell grants—that's a meaningful advantage over competitors.

The caveat is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift year to year. Still, the fundamentals are solid for a practical degree like criminal justice, where managing debt matters as much as starting salary. If your student is committed to law enforcement or corrections work and wants to stay in Iowa, UNI offers a straightforward path without the debt burden that often accompanies this field.