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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$32,743

17th percentile

40th percentile in Texas

Median Debt

$37,457

43% above national median

Analysis

Wiley University graduates leave with more debt than almost 90% of criminal justice programs nationwide, yet earn roughly $5,000 below the Texas median for this degree—a troubling combination that ranks them in the bottom fifth nationally. With 77% of students receiving Pell grants, the $37,457 median debt burden hits particularly hard at a school serving predominantly low-income students, especially when typical starting salaries barely exceed $32,700.

The concerning part isn't just the debt load—it's that earnings flatline completely between years one and four. While graduates at top Texas programs like Wayland Baptist ($53,038) or Texas A&M-Central Texas ($45,976) earn 40-60% more right out of the gate, the real worry here is the lack of any upward trajectory. A debt-to-earnings ratio above 1.0 means graduates owe more than they earn in their first year, making monthly payments a significant financial strain that won't ease with time.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the pattern is clear enough to warrant serious hesitation. For families considering this program, the combination of above-average debt and below-average earnings—with no growth momentum—suggests exploring alternatives within Texas's 62 criminal justice programs would be prudent.

Where Wiley University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Wiley 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
Wiley University	$32,743	$32,862	+0%
Texas Christian University	$34,556	$61,238	+77%
Hardin-Simmons University	$39,445	$52,024	+32%
Angelo State University	$35,955	$51,462	+43%
University of Houston-Downtown	$42,122	$50,850	+21%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (62 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Wiley UniversityMarshall	$12,500	$32,743	$32,862	$37,457	1.14
Wayland Baptist UniversityPlainview	$23,186	$53,038	$47,490	$25,000	0.47
University of Phoenix-TexasDallas	—	$47,987	$44,185	$46,989	0.98
Texas A&M University-Central TexasKilleen	$6,627	$45,976	$33,511	$24,750	0.54
Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth	$37,934	$44,328	$44,073	$26,000	0.59
Lamar UniversityBeaumont	$8,690	$43,707	$50,559	$31,000	0.71
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 Wiley University, approximately 77% 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 27 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.