Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Phoenix-Texas

This University of Phoenix criminal justice program commands premium pricing but delivers exceptional earnings results that may justify the investment. Graduates earn $47,987 in their first year—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in Texas, significantly outperforming the national median of $37,856 and Texas median of $35,862. The debt load of $46,989 is nearly double typical programs, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.98 means graduates can theoretically pay off their loans with one year's salary.

The concerning aspect is the negative earnings trajectory—salaries actually drop to $44,185 by year four, an 8% decline that's unusual for most degree programs. This suggests either career pivots or potential limitations in advancement within traditional criminal justice roles. However, even with this decline, fourth-year earnings still exceed most competing Texas programs' first-year outcomes.

Despite the high upfront cost, this program produces some of the highest-earning criminal justice graduates in Texas. The key question is whether that premium is worth nearly double the debt load, especially given the earnings decline over time. For families comfortable with higher debt in exchange for strong initial earning potential, this could work—but the negative growth trend requires careful consideration of long-term career plans.