Location: Eau Claire, WI•In-State Tuition: $9,277•Out-of-State Tuition: $18,516•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1190
Median Earnings (1yr)
$41,258
70th percentile
40th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$21,500
18% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.52 ManageableSample: 53 graduates

Analysis

UW-Eau Claire's criminal justice program demonstrates solid fundamentals: graduates manage debt better than most, with just $21,500 owed compared to the $27,000 state median. First-year earnings of $41,258 beat the national average by nearly $3,500, placing the program in the 70th percentile nationally. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable, meaning graduates can expect to pay off their debt in roughly half a year's salary.

However, the program sits at just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin's criminal justice programs—right in the middle of the pack. Several Herzing University locations produce graduates earning around $67,000, nearly 60% more than UW-Eau Claire. Even fellow UW System schools like Parkside and Superior edge ahead by about $1,000 annually. This isn't necessarily a red flag since Herzing's higher earnings may reflect different career paths or program focuses, but it's worth understanding what drives those differences.

The combination of below-median debt and above-national-average earnings makes this a financially sound choice if your child is committed to criminal justice. The 12% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady. For families prioritizing affordability within the UW System, this program delivers value without excessive debt risk, though it won't position graduates at the top of Wisconsin's criminal justice salary ladder.

Where University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireOther criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earns $41k — 70th percentile among criminal justice and corrections bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire$41,258$46,093+12%
Herzing University-Brookfield$67,229$58,875-12%
Herzing University-Kenosha$67,229$58,875-12%
Herzing University-Madison$67,229$58,875-12%
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh$39,394$58,148+48%

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (19 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire$9,277$41,258$46,093$21,5000.52
Herzing University-BrookfieldBrookfield$13,420$67,229$58,875$28,3990.42
Herzing University-KenoshaKenosha$13,420$67,229$58,875$28,3990.42
Herzing University-MadisonMadison$13,420$67,229$58,875$28,3990.42
University of Wisconsin-ParksideKenosha$7,855$42,342$46,689$20,7450.49
University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperior$8,487$42,295—$26,1750.62
National Median—$37,856—$26,1300.69

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 53 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.