Criminal Justice at California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,870/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
16.3x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $461K | $463K | $435K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.2x | 16.3x | 15.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.1x | 6.1x | 5.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 52 | 51 | 41 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (6.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
About California State University-Northridge
California State University-Northridge accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving a student body of 32,357 in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →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
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Northridge
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at California State University-Northridge?
This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →