Criminal Justice and Corrections at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's Criminal Justice program delivers middle-of-the-pack results that beat most Ohio competitors while keeping costs reasonable. Graduates earn $37,325 in their first year—slightly below the national median but notably above Ohio's state median of $36,612. More importantly, this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio criminal justice programs, meaning it outperforms about 60% of in-state alternatives. The $24,465 in typical debt sits comfortably below both state and national averages.

The trajectory looks solid: earnings climb 14% to $42,565 by year four, which edges past the national 75th percentile for this field. That's meaningful growth in a sector where many graduates see their pay stagnate early. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 means graduates carry less than eight months' salary in loans—manageable by any standard.

For Ohio families, this represents a straightforward value play. Yes, Herzing University-Akron graduates earn nearly double, but that comes at a different price point and serves specialized law enforcement tracks. Among accessible, four-year state institutions serving a working-class student body (one-third receive Pell grants), Youngstown State delivers what matters: reasonable debt, earnings that grow steadily, and outcomes that consistently beat the state median. It's not flashy, but it works.