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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$40,898

68th percentile

60th percentile in Illinois

Median Debt

$26,000

At national median

Analysis

Western Illinois University's Criminal Justice program shows impressive earnings growth that sets it apart from typical outcomes in this field. While graduates start at $40,898—solid but not exceptional—their earnings jump 40% to $57,113 by year four, significantly outpacing both national and Illinois medians for the program.

The debt picture is reasonable at $26,000, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 that's well below concerning levels. More importantly, that strong earnings trajectory means graduates are positioned to handle their loans comfortably after the first few years. Among Illinois criminal justice programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it in the upper half of state options while costing about the same as peer programs.

The standout feature here is that earnings growth—most criminal justice programs see modest salary progression, but WIU graduates experience substantial income increases as they advance in their careers. This suggests the program effectively prepares students for promotions within law enforcement, corrections, or related fields. For parents concerned about their child's long-term earning potential in criminal justice, WIU offers a compelling path with manageable debt and strong career advancement prospects.

Where Western Illinois University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Western Illinois 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
Western Illinois University	$40,898	$57,113	+40%
Elmhurst University	$38,352	$66,495	+73%
Loyola University Chicago	$38,953	$61,200	+57%
Aurora University	$44,150	$58,259	+32%
Saint Xavier University	$39,033	$56,487	+45%

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (33 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb	$14,952	$40,898	$57,113	$26,000	0.64
Benedictine UniversityLisle	$34,290	$46,020	—	$25,979	0.56
Aurora UniversityAurora	$28,220	$44,150	$58,259	$23,635	0.54
University of St FrancisJoliet	$37,000	$43,793	$43,109	—	—
North Park UniversityChicago	$35,325	$43,519	$48,806	—	—
DeVry University-IllinoisLisle	$17,488	$43,091	$46,188	$54,985	1.28
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 Western Illinois University, approximately 28% 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 433 graduates with reported earnings and 407 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.