Median Earnings (1yr)
$44,397
41st percentile (40th in NC)
Sample Size
30
Adequate data

Earnings Distribution

How Western Piedmont Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Western Piedmont Community College graduates earn $44k, placing them in the 41th percentile of all criminal justice and corrections certificate programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (58 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Western Piedmont Community College$44,397$45,237
Cape Fear Community College$52,282$42,740$16,0420.31
Gaston College$50,038
Durham Technical Community College$49,893$17,7500.36
Forsyth Technical Community College$48,388$21,0660.44
Wilson Community College$48,304$17,0600.35
National Median$48,388$13,3550.28

Other Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs in North Carolina

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington
$2,748$52,282$16,042
Gaston College
Dallas
$3,186$50,038
Durham Technical Community College
Durham
$1,986$49,893$17,750
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem
$2,256$48,388$21,066
Wilson Community College
Wilson
$2,572$48,304$17,060

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 Piedmont Community College, approximately 33% 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 30 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.