Criminal Justice and Corrections at Wayne State College

Wayne State College's Criminal Justice program sits comfortably in the middle tier among Nebraska options, earning graduates $41,869 in their first year—above both the national median ($37,856) and Nebraska's state median ($40,128). With debt at $25,000, you're looking at a manageable 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning your child could theoretically dedicate 60% of their first year's salary to debt and pay it off in one year. That's a reasonable starting point for a public safety career.

The challenge here is the earnings trajectory. Four years out, graduates are making just $43,228—barely 3% growth over those first years. This flat earnings curve is typical of law enforcement and corrections careers with structured pay scales, but it means the financial advantage this program has over national competitors doesn't widen over time. Among Nebraska's 13 criminal justice programs, Wayne State ranks right at 60th percentile, trailing UNL and Midland but holding its own against other state schools.

For families committed to public safety careers in Nebraska, this program offers solid value without excessive debt. The numbers work, especially if your child plans to stay in-state where their Wayne State connections matter. Just understand they're entering a field where raises come slowly, making that manageable starting debt load even more important.