Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Phoenix-Arizona

This undergraduate certificate program shows an estimated debt load of $8,481—relatively modest, especially when measured against first-year earnings that peer programs in Arizona suggest hover around $41,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 looks manageable on paper, though it's worth noting that Arizona's criminal justice certificate programs span a wide range, from community colleges where graduates earn upwards of $50,000 to programs where earnings settle closer to $30,000.

The real concern here is that this estimate falls well short of the $48,000 national median for similar credentials. When Arizona community colleges like Yavapai and Pima are producing graduates who earn $59,000 and $54,000 respectively in their first year, a program tracking closer to the state median raises questions about value. For a field where credentials matter less than many others—and where community college pathways dominate—the premium you'd pay at University of Phoenix (even for a certificate) needs clearer justification.

The practical takeaway: if your child is set on this field, look hard at community college alternatives in Arizona that report stronger earnings outcomes and typically charge less. The lower debt here helps, but starting earnings in the low $40,000s when peer institutions are producing $50,000+ graduates suggests you may be leaving significant money on the table—money that compounds over a career.