Criminal Justice at Shaw University

Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
37
Base Case
30
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,649/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #604 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs

Program Analysis

The earnings data for Shaw University's Criminal Justice program reflects typical entry-level roles within the local North Carolina labor market. This program often prepares graduates for vital public service positions in state and municipal corrections, probation, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Raleigh area and beyond. These stable, impactful careers, while foundational to the justice system, generally offer starting salaries aligned with regional public sector pay scales, which can be modest compared to the national average that includes higher-paying federal or specialized private sector security roles. The significant earnings listed for career paths like detectives or managers represent later-career progression, requiring years of experience and dedicated service. To maximize your earning potential, actively pursue internships with local law enforcement or state agencies during your studies, as these connections are crucial for understanding career ladders and accelerating your climb toward those supervisory or investigative roles.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $482K $482K $451K
Earnings Multiple 7.0x 7.0x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 37 30

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$68,704
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,332
18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$37,484
17.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,000
60% growth from Year 1

About Shaw University

A 30% acceptance rate puts Shaw University in competitive admissions territory, a smaller institution with 839 students in Raleigh, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 65% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Shaw 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 at Other Schools

Other Majors at Shaw University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 37/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Shaw University?
At 37/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Criminal Justice degree from Shaw University?
At $37,484 in median debt, graduates carry 18 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Shaw University a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Shaw University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →