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Public Safety & Security · Criminal Justice Rank #98 of 629

Criminal Justiceat Walden University

Graduates earn $50,634/yr in their first year — about 31.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $503K; scenarios range from $468K to $504K depending on AI disruption.

Minneapolis, MN Private for-profit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
59 SOLID
59
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$50,634
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.5x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$503K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Walden University

Walden University's strong outcomes in Criminal Justice and Corrections likely reflect its unique student body and program focus. Many pursuing this degree are already working professionals in law enforcement, corrections, or related fields. They leverage this education not for entry-level positions, but for career advancement into supervisory or specialized roles like police sergeants, detectives, or administrative management within agencies. The curriculum likely emphasizes leadership, policy, and advanced investigative techniques, preparing you for roles where your existing experience combines with new credentials. Consider how this program aligns with your current career stage and potential for promotion within your specific agency or organization. You'll find success by connecting the program's offerings directly to your professional development goals.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$468K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple9.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$503K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$504K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score59/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Walden University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Criminal Justice graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 10,900 openings/yr
$105,980/yr
Moderate
3
Detectives and criminal investigators
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 7,800 openings/yr
$93,580/yr
High
4
Financial examiners
+18.5% 10-yr growth · 5,700 openings/yr
$90,400/yr
High
5
Emergency management directors
+3.0% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$86,130/yr
Moderate
6
Transit and railroad police
+3.0% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$82,320/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Criminal Justice

How Walden University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Charter Oak State College
CT · Public
67
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
19.3x
ROI
Herzing University-Birmingham
AL · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Herzing University-Atlanta
GA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Same state (MN)
Herzing University-Minneapolis
MN · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Herzing University-Akron
OH · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
10.9x
ROI
Also at Walden University

Other top programs at Walden University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Walden University, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Criminal Justice at Walden University

How does Walden University's Criminal Justice program score?

This program scores 59/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates.

Why does Walden University rank so high for Criminal Justice?

The #98 ranking out of 629 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.