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Criminal Justice and Corrections at New Mexico Highlands University

Las Vegas, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $21,630/yr (-44% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

ROI 18.0x earnings multiple (10.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #465 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$527K	$524K	$485K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.1x	18.0x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.8x	10.8x	9.9x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	46	41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,040

Out-of-state: $48,720 (10.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,564

-95% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,465

115% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,630 place New Mexico Highlands University below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 18.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

A #465 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places New Mexico Highlands University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $21,630-to-$46,465 earnings arc over five years reflects a 115% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About New Mexico Highlands University

with a smaller student body of 1,561 in Las Vegas, NM. 46% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico Highlands 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

View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at New Mexico Highlands University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at New Mexico Highlands University?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is New Mexico Highlands University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If New Mexico Highlands 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 →