Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

In Indiana, criminal justice programs typically prepare graduates for careers with wildly different earning potential—from entry-level correctional officer roles to police work and federal positions. University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne's program lands near the bottom half of both state and national outcomes, with first-year earnings of $36,684 falling about $3,300 below the Indiana median and $1,200 below the national median. That gap becomes more significant when you see that comparable programs at Vincennes University and Oakland City University are producing earnings nearly $10,000 higher, suggesting graduates there may be securing better-positioned roles or locations.

The estimated debt picture based on similar Indiana programs—around $26,162—looks manageable at first glance with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71. However, criminal justice careers often start with modest salaries that grow slowly without advancement into supervisory or specialized roles. Given that 43% of students here receive Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to provide clear economic mobility, and starting $10,000 behind peer programs in the same state makes that climb steeper. The open admission policy means Saint Francis serves students who might have fewer college options, but that makes the earnings gap even more concerning—these graduates need strong outcomes, not below-average ones.

Before committing, compare this program directly with Vincennes or Purdue Global if your student is Indiana-based. The starting salary difference could mean $40,000-$50,000 less over the first five years, money that matters tremendously for debt repayment and building financial stability.