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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,641/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #569 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $488K $489K $456K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 29

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$160,760
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,284
54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,750
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,219
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,641 track close to the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 3.0x tuition cost, the financial math is tight. Decade earnings don't dramatically exceed what you paid, making school choice and aid packages critical.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,750 against $37,641/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #569 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Buena Vista University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $37,641 to $46,219 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,378 students in Storm Lake, IA. Pell Grant recipients make up 43% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. The average net cost of $73,284 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Buena Vista University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980/yr
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580/yr
View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 629 schools offering Criminal Justice and Corrections →

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Charter Oak State College ($68,956) Herzing University-Birmingham ($67,229) Herzing University-Atlanta ($67,229) Herzing University-Minneapolis ($67,229) Herzing University-Akron ($67,229) Herzing University-Madison ($67,229) Herzing University-Orlando ($67,229) Herzing University-New Orleans ($67,229)

Other Majors at Buena Vista University

Accounting and Related Services ($53,280) Finance and Financial Management Services ($52,226) Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations ($49,099) Business/Commerce, General ($48,810) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,385) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($44,551) Marketing ($42,972) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,834)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Criminal Justice and Corrections trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 40/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Buena Vista University?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What do students actually pay for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Buena Vista University?
The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $160,760. At a net cost of $73,284, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →