Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree) at Walden University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$50,634

95th percentile

60th percentile in Minnesota

Median Debt

$48,133

84% above national median

Analysis

Walden's online criminal justice program charges nearly double the typical debt load ($48,133 versus $26,130 nationally) while delivering earnings that start strong but then decline. Graduates earn $50,634 in their first year—significantly above the national median of $37,856—but that figure drops to $48,565 by year four. That 4% earnings decline is unusual for bachelor's graduates and suggests this program may not be opening doors to career advancement the way parents would hope.

The Minnesota comparison reveals the real issue. While Walden ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at just the 60th percentile among Minnesota programs—meaning most in-state alternatives deliver similar or better earnings at roughly half the debt. Metropolitan State University, for instance, produces graduates earning $52,125 with typical state school debt levels. For a family considering in-state options, paying private university prices for online coursework that doesn't outperform the state system requires serious justification.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.95 means graduates leave owing nearly a full year's salary. That's manageable if earnings grow, but with a negative trajectory and half the student body receiving Pell grants, many graduates will face financial pressure. Unless your child specifically needs the flexibility of Walden's online format and has no viable in-state alternatives, Minnesota's public universities offer a substantially better value proposition for criminal justice studies.

Where Walden University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Walden University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Walden University	$50,634	$48,565	-4%
Concordia University-Saint Paul	$42,607	$64,015	+50%
Herzing University-Minneapolis	$67,229	$58,875	-12%
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota	$64,894	$58,646	-10%
Winona State University	$48,861	$57,296	+17%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Walden UniversityMinneapolis	$12,498	$50,634	$48,565	$48,133	0.95
Herzing University-MinneapolisSt. Louis Park	$13,420	$67,229	$58,875	$28,399	0.42
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona	$43,160	$64,894	$58,646	$28,708	0.44
Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul	$9,780	$52,125	$52,541	$29,426	0.56
Bemidji State UniversityBemidji	$10,164	$49,617	$52,130	$23,181	0.47
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud	$10,117	$49,412	$52,753	$21,500	0.44
National Median	—	$37,856	—	$26,130	0.69

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 Walden University, approximately 50% 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 38 graduates with reported earnings and 72 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.