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Criminal Justice and Corrections at East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,097/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #502 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	$487K	$487K	$455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.2x	12.2x	11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.8x	8.8x	8.2x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,800

Out-of-state: $55,160 (8.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,176

-59% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

9.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,784

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,097 place East Tennessee State University below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 12.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 $23,250 against $30,097/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #502 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places East Tennessee State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 45% earnings increase from $30,097 to $43,784 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About East Tennessee State University

East Tennessee State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 9,807 students in Johnson City, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at East Tennessee State 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

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at East Tennessee State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at East Tennessee State University?

At 45/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is East Tennessee State University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If East Tennessee State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →