Criminal Justiceat Oakland City University
Graduates earn $46,038/yr in their first year — about 19.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $481K to $521K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Oakland City University
At $46,038 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Oakland City University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
An earnings multiple of 4.8x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $18,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #296 of 629 Criminal Justice programs, Oakland City University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $46,038 to $55,777 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Oakland City 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 Oakland City University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Oakland City University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Oakland City 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 Oakland City University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Oakland City University?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
Is Oakland City University a hidden gem for Criminal Justice?
After financial aid, the average student pays $51,280 over four years — 53% below the $108,600 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.