Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Wisconsin-Platteville

UW-Platteville's criminal justice program quietly outperforms most of its competitors, with graduates earning $41,636 in their first year—nearly $4,000 above the national median and ranking in the 72nd percentile nationally. More importantly, earnings jump 25% to over $52,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are moving into supervisory or specialized roles rather than stagnating in entry-level positions. At $25,000 in median debt (below both state and national averages), the program keeps borrowing manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60—meaning graduates owe less than eight months of their starting salary.

Within Wisconsin, this program sits comfortably in the 60th percentile, well ahead of most public university options though trailing the Herzing campuses that cater to working professionals already in law enforcement. For a traditional-age student entering the field, UW-Platteville offers a more affordable entry point than most competitors while delivering earnings that keep pace with Wisconsin's median. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these figures reliable rather than a statistical fluke.

For families concerned about criminal justice being a low-paying field, this program demonstrates that debt-to-earnings ratios can work even at modest starting salaries. Your child would graduate with less debt than peers at most programs while earning more than typical graduates nationally—and with meaningful income growth ahead.