Criminal Justiceat National University
Graduates earn $64,143/yr in their first year — about 66.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $569K; scenarios range from $521K to $575K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at National University
The robust earnings for National University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program reflect a potent combination of factors. San Diego's expansive public safety sector, including significant federal agency presence (like Border Patrol), military installations, and a large metropolitan police force, creates a high demand for skilled professionals. Many National University students are working adults, often with prior military or law enforcement experience, leveraging the program to specialize, advance into supervisory roles, or transition into higher-paying areas like financial fraud investigation or private security management. This career trajectory, focusing on leadership and niche expertise rather than entry-level positions, is key. To maximize your potential, actively seek out internships or networking opportunities with local and federal agencies in the San Diego area, positioning yourself for specialized or leadership tracks.
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 National 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 National University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at National University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at National 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 National University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at National University?
A score of 63/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.