Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Phoenix-Arizona

This University of Phoenix criminal justice program delivers impressive initial earnings that significantly outperform national benchmarks, but comes with concerning red flags that parents should carefully consider. Graduates earn $48,000 in their first year—27% higher than the national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. However, this strong start is undermined by troubling earnings decline, with pay dropping 8% by year four to $44,185.

The debt picture is particularly problematic. At $47,000, student debt is nearly double the national average for this field and substantially higher than Arizona's state median of $38,878. While the program ranks well nationally for earnings, it sits at just the 60th percentile among Arizona schools, meaning you're paying premium prices for middle-of-the-pack performance in-state. The debt-to-earnings ratio of nearly 1:1 means graduates owe almost as much as they earn in their first year—a heavy financial burden for a field that typically doesn't see rapid salary growth.

The declining earnings trajectory is especially concerning in criminal justice, where experience usually translates to higher pay. This suggests potential issues with career advancement or job stability for graduates. Given the high debt load and negative earnings growth, families should seriously consider lower-cost alternatives like Arizona State University, which offers similar first-year outcomes at potentially lower cost.