Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Scranton

University of Scranton's Criminal Justice program starts graduates at just $32,300—well below Pennsylvania's median of $37,311 and ranking in only the 15th percentile nationally. That first-year figure is concerning, especially for parents who see their child taking on $27,000 in debt. However, this program follows an unusual trajectory: earnings nearly double by year four, jumping to $61,836. That 91% growth rate suggests graduates are either advancing quickly in law enforcement roles or transitioning into better-paying positions after gaining experience.

The catch is that most Pennsylvania criminal justice programs start higher. Schools like Peirce College ($48,710) and Chestnut Hill ($46,417) place graduates in jobs that pay 40-50% more from day one. Even at the state median of $37,311, graduates elsewhere are earning $5,000 more initially. University of Scranton ranks exactly at the 40th percentile in Pennsylvania—firmly middle-of-the-pack despite being a private institution charging private tuition rates.

For families, this means betting on long-term growth over immediate returns. The eventual $61,836 salary is solid, and the debt load is manageable once that income kicks in. But the first few years will be tight financially, particularly compared to what peers at other PA schools will be earning right out of college.