Physical Sciencesat CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Graduates earn $41,587/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $482K; scenarios range from $464K to $481K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
At John Jay, your Physical Sciences degree is distinctively shaped by the college's deep roots in criminal justice and forensics. This isn't a typical broad science program; it's designed with an applied lens, preparing you for roles where scientific principles intersect with legal and investigative work. The New York City location is a significant advantage, offering unparalleled access to public and private forensic labs, law enforcement agencies, and research institutions. This environment naturally funnels graduates into specific career pipelines within the metropolitan area.
The varied career paths reflect this specialization: you could advance to management overseeing scientific investigations, or pivot to education if direct lab work isn't your long-term goal. However, with increasing automation in data analysis and lab processes, roles requiring repetitive technical tasks may face higher AI risk. To thrive, focus on developing critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and communication skills that complement technical expertise, positioning yourself for higher-level analytical or leadership roles.
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 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice'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 Physical Sciences
How CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Physical Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Physical Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Physical Sciences at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
How does CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice's Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Physical Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Physical Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 42% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Physical Sciences at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice after financial aid?
Sticker price is $29,880, but the average net cost is $12,184 — a 59% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.