Criminal Justice and Corrections at York College of Pennsylvania

York College's Criminal Justice program outperforms both state and national benchmarks for starting salaries, with graduates earning $42,175 their first year—about $5,000 more than the Pennsylvania median and placing in the 75th percentile nationally. Within four years, earnings climb to $48,331, representing solid 15% growth. The $26,000 debt load sits right at national norms, creating a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio that graduates can realistically tackle.

What's notable is how this compares within Pennsylvania's crowded criminal justice landscape. While not topping the state rankings (several private schools edge higher), York delivers better results than 60% of Pennsylvania programs at what's likely a more accessible price point for a school with a 94% admission rate. Parents should appreciate that this isn't a case of inflated outcomes driven by highly selective admissions—York serves a broad student population while still producing above-average results.

For families evaluating this program, the math works: graduates enter careers earning enough to manage their debt comfortably, with earnings that grow meaningfully in the early career years. The value proposition is particularly strong if your child is Pennsylvania-focused for employment, where York grads demonstrate competitive positioning in a state where criminal justice and corrections jobs are plentiful.