Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,548/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
12.3x earnings multiple (6.0x 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 | $497K | $497K | $463K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 12.3x | 12.3x | 11.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.0x | 6.0x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 48 | 39 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,238
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,451
47% growth from Year 1
About Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Eastern Kentucky University
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 does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Eastern Kentucky University?
At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Eastern Kentucky University a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Eastern Kentucky 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 →