Criminal Justice and Corrections at Western Illinois University

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.