Criminal Justiceat Central Washington University
Graduates earn $44,172/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $546K; scenarios range from $502K to $550K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Central Washington University
At $44,172 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Central Washington University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 14.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #29 out of 629 programs, Central Washington University's Criminal Justice program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,172 to $61,698 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
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 Central Washington 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 Central Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Central Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Washington 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 Central Washington University
How does Central Washington University's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 65/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates.
Why does Central Washington University rank so high for Criminal Justice?
The #29 ranking out of 629 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.