Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $49,412 put Saint Cloud State University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program 28% above the national median of $38,544 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
The 12.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $49,412 far exceeding the $18,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #36 ranking out of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally puts Saint Cloud State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.
Earnings growth is modest: $49,412 to $56,967 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.