Criminal Justiceat Iowa State University
Graduates earn $41,624/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $488K; scenarios range from $455K to $487K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Iowa State University
At $41,624 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Iowa State University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
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.
At #277 of 629 Criminal Justice programs, Iowa State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
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 Iowa State 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 Iowa State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Iowa State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Iowa State 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 Iowa State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Iowa State University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.