Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's Criminal Justice program earns slightly above the national median but trails meaningfully behind other Wisconsin options—ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide despite coming from a major urban research university. At $50,378 four years out, graduates earn roughly $8,850 less than the Wisconsin median for this degree, and about $17,000 less than peers at UW-Parkside or UW-Superior. The debt load of $25,715 is reasonable and slightly below state averages, but it doesn't offset the earnings gap.

The 30% earnings growth from year one to year four is the brightest spot here, suggesting graduates gain traction in law enforcement or corrections careers over time. Starting at $38,640 isn't unusual for entry-level criminal justice work, and the trajectory shows steady career progression. However, your child would be entering a field where Milwaukee's specific market conditions may limit earnings potential compared to other parts of the state.

For families considering this program, the key question is geographic: if your child plans to stay in Milwaukee post-graduation, this could work given the manageable debt. But if they're open to relocating within Wisconsin or considering other UW campuses, the earnings data suggests looking at Parkside or Superior first. The gap between UW-Milwaukee and other in-state options is too large to ignore, especially since they're all part of the same university system with similar tuition costs.