Criminal Justiceat Capella University
Graduates earn $47,606/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $523K; scenarios range from $483K to $525K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Capella University
At $47,606 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Capella University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $25,558 represents roughly 6 months of the $47,606 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #122 of 629 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $56,994 are relatively flat compared to the $47,606 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Capella University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Criminal Justice
How Capella University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Capella University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Capella University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Criminal Justice offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Criminal Justice trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Criminal Justice at Capella University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Capella University?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
What makes Capella University's Criminal Justice program stand out?
Ranked #122 of 629 programs nationally, Capella University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.