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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,401/yr (18% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #88 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs Top 25%

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	$517K	$515K	$477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.5x	11.5x	10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.3x	4.3x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	60	60	50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$44,952

Out-of-state: $120,552 (4.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,728

-15% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,630

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,626

20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $45,401 at Portland State University come in 18% above the national median of $38,544 for Criminal Justice and Corrections programs.

With a 11.5x 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.

With first-year pay of $45,401 far exceeding the $22,630 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Portland State University ranks #88 among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 20% earnings increase from $45,401 to $54,626 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Portland State University

Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 13,619 students in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State 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 Portland State 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 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Portland State University?

At 60/100, Portland State University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Portland State University one of the best schools for Criminal Justice and Corrections?

Among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Portland State University's #88 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →