Criminal Justiceat University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Graduates earn $42,139/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $531K; scenarios range from $490K to $534K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Nebraska
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Criminal Justice graduates start at $42,139/yr — above the $38,544 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 13.1x 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 career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln ranks #70 among 629 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 37% earnings increase from $42,139 to $57,543 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Nebraska's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Criminal Justice
How University of Nebraska stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Nebraska
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nebraska, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Criminal Justice offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Criminal Justice trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Criminal Justice at University of Nebraska
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
At 61/100, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Among 629 Criminal Justice programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's #70 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.