Criminal Justiceat Washington State University
Graduates earn $41,020/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $561K; scenarios range from $515K to $567K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington State University
Washington State University's Criminal Justice graduates start at $41,020/yr — above the $38,544 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 10.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,538 in median debt clears quickly against $41,020 in annual earnings.
Washington State University ranks #77 among 629 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $41,020-to-$63,847 earnings arc over five years reflects a 56% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
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 Washington State University'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 Washington State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington State 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 →Frequently asked about Criminal Justice at Washington State University
What does a 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Washington State University?
At 61/100, Washington State University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Washington State University one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Among 629 Criminal Justice programs, Washington State University's #77 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.