Criminal Justice and Corrections at Waukesha County Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Waukesha County Technical College's Criminal Justice certificate graduates earn $69,115 their first year out—landing them in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Wisconsin. That positioning tells an important story: this is a strong program nationally, but Wisconsin's technical college system as a whole produces exceptionally well-paid criminal justice graduates. You're paying slightly above-average debt ($19,500 versus $18,750 statewide) for middle-of-the-pack results in a competitive state market, with Gateway Technical College graduates earning nearly $5,000 more annually.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 remains quite manageable—your child would owe less than three months of their first-year salary. The real question is whether Waukesha's location or specific partnerships justify choosing it over higher-earning Wisconsin alternatives. Gateway, Blackhawk, and Fox Valley all place graduates into better-paying positions, suggesting that criminal justice career outcomes in Wisconsin vary significantly by program connections and regional job markets.
If Waukesha County is your local option and relocation isn't realistic, these are solid earnings for certificate-level training. But if your child has flexibility in choosing among Wisconsin's technical colleges, other programs deliver stronger wage outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. The program works, but it's not optimized for maximum earning potential within the state's robust technical college network.
Where Waukesha County Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Waukesha County Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Waukesha County Technical College graduates earn $69k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all criminal justice and corrections certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (16 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County Technical College | $69,115 | — | $19,500 | 0.28 |
| Gateway Technical College | $73,818 | $73,034 | $18,750 | 0.25 |
| Blackhawk Technical College | $68,669 | — | $19,381 | 0.28 |
| Fox Valley Technical College | $64,741 | — | $22,250 | 0.34 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College | $60,737 | $55,746 | $15,335 | 0.25 |
| Northcentral Technical College | $59,645 | — | $18,750 | 0.31 |
| National Median | $48,388 | — | $13,355 | 0.28 |
Other Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs in Wisconsin
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Wisconsin schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Technical College Kenosha | $4,853 | $73,818 | $18,750 |
| Blackhawk Technical College Janesville | $4,170 | $68,669 | $19,381 |
| Fox Valley Technical College Appleton | $4,916 | $64,741 | $22,250 |
| Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire | $4,724 | $60,737 | $15,335 |
| Northcentral Technical College Wausau | $3,861 | $59,645 | $18,750 |
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 Waukesha County Technical College, approximately 11% 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 32 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.