Criminal Justiceat Northeastern Illinois University
Graduates earn $40,719/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $540K; scenarios range from $498K to $544K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northeastern Illinois University
At $40,719 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 10.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $11,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Northeastern Illinois University ranks #104 among 629 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 45% earnings increase from $40,719 to $59,188 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
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 Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northeastern Illinois University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University
What does a 59/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Northeastern Illinois University?
At 59/100, Northeastern Illinois University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Northeastern Illinois University one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Among 629 Criminal Justice programs, Northeastern Illinois University's #104 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.