Criminal Justice and Corrections at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,553/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #391 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 $498K $497K $463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.3x 15.3x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 49 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,588
Out-of-state: $101,084 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,988
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,250
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,750
55% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

New Mexico State University-Main Campus's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $29,553/yr, trailing the $38,544 national average by 23%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections'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.

Median debt of $20,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,553 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #391 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,750 show a 55% jump from the $29,553 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

A 76% acceptance rate means New Mexico State University-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 11,561 students in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

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 State University-Main Campus

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →