Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $38,057 track close to the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 12.2x 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.
At $21,125 against $38,057/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.
A #162 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places North Dakota State University-Main Campus in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 47% earnings increase from $38,057 to $55,813 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.