Criminal Justice at South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,576/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
11.1x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
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 | $493K | $493K | $459K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.1x | 11.1x | 10.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.7x | 5.7x | 5.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 47 | 37 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,240
Out-of-state: $87,000 (5.7x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,814
41% growth from Year 1
About South Carolina State University
With 82% of applicants admitted, South Carolina State University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,757 students in Orangeburg, SC. Pell Grant recipients make up 68% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at South Carolina 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
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at South Carolina 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 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at South Carolina State University?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is South Carolina State University a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Carolina State 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 →