Criminal Justice at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
59
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,390/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
9.0x earnings multiple (3.3x 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 | $581K | $574K | $525K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.1x | 9.0x | 8.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.3x | 3.3x | 3.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 59 | 59 | 49 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.3x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,284
64% growth from Year 1
About Michigan State University
A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 40,243 in East Lansing, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
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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 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Michigan State University?
At 59/100, Michigan State University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Michigan State University one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Among 629 Criminal Justice programs, Michigan State University's #110 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →