Criminal Justice at Texas Southern University
Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$29,763/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
14.4x earnings multiple (6.1x 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 | $532K | $529K | $489K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.5x | 14.4x | 13.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.1x | 6.1x | 5.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 53 | 52 | 43 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,692
Out-of-state: $87,092 (6.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,085
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,298
76% growth from Year 1
About Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,619 students in Houston, TX. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern 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 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Texas Southern University?
At 52/100, Texas Southern University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the payoff timeline for a Criminal Justice degree from Texas Southern University?
At $31,085 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Texas Southern University a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Texas Southern 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 →