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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $44,812/yr (16% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #69 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	$538K	$534K	$493K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.2x	11.2x	10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	7.0x	6.5x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,912

Out-of-state: $75,844 (7.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,764

-54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,750

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$59,192

32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $44,812/yr, edging above the $38,544 national average for Criminal Justice and Corrections — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 11.2x 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 $21,750 in median debt against $44,812 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Salem State University ranks #69 among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 32% earnings increase from $44,812 to $59,192 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Salem State University

Salem State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,286 students in Salem, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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 Salem State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Salem State University?

At 61/100, Salem State University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

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

Among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Salem State University's #69 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 →