Criminal Justiceat Metropolitan State University
Graduates earn $52,125/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $532K; scenarios range from $491K to $536K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Metropolitan State University
The strong outcomes for Metropolitan State's Criminal Justice and Corrections program reflect the robust and diverse demand for skilled professionals across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Your Saint Paul location provides direct access to a wealth of employers, from city police departments and county sheriff's offices to state agencies like the Minnesota Department of Corrections and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This isn't just about traditional patrol; the curriculum likely prepares you for diverse roles in investigation, supervision, and even specialized fields like financial crime analysis, which explains the excellent earning potential seen in managerial and detective positions. The region offers clear paths for advancement, rewarding experience and specialized skills. To maximize your potential, actively seek out internships with local agencies and network within the professional community throughout your studies.
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 Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Metropolitan State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
What makes Metropolitan State University's Criminal Justice program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 629 programs nationally, Metropolitan State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.