Criminal Justice and Corrections at Coastal Bend College

Graduates from the Criminal Justice and Corrections program at Coastal Bend College experience a positive earnings trajectory over time. One year after graduation, the median earnings stand at $33,128, which increases to $49,750 after five years and reaches $59,105 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary aligns with a national equivalent of $54,017.37, indicating that graduates maintain a competitive income relative to the national average despite the cost of living index in Texas being slightly lower than the national average.

The primary industries that graduates enter include Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for 36.5% of employment, followed by another segment of Health Care & Social Assistance at 31.9%, and Educational Services at 16.5%. The estimated break-even point for pursuing this degree versus a high school-only path is approximately 12.9 years, suggesting that while the initial investment in education may take time to recoup, the long-term benefits in earnings and career opportunities can provide a favorable return on investment for graduates in this field.