Criminal Justice and Corrections at Washington State College of Ohio

Borrowing an estimated $16,575 to earn around $38,500 in your first year puts you right in the middle of what Ohio criminal justice programs typically produce—roughly where the state median sits. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means graduates could potentially pay off loans in less than six months of gross income, which compares favorably to the national picture where many programs in this field start graduates at just $33,000.

The challenge here is that these figures come from peer programs across Ohio, not Washington State College's actual outcomes, so there's inherent uncertainty about whether this specific program delivers on that estimate. What we do know: the top criminal justice programs in the state—Ohio University's various campuses and North Central State—report first-year earnings in the $44,000-$47,000 range, suggesting room for variation in how different schools prepare students for this field.

For parents evaluating this program, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable affordability if they hold true, but the lack of reported data means you're essentially betting on this school performing like the typical Ohio program in criminal justice. Before committing, verify what local law enforcement and corrections agencies think of Washington State College graduates and whether the school has consistent placement into the entry-level positions your child wants.