Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
63
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,682/yr (0% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
28.6x earnings multiple (15.2x 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 | $520K | $518K | $479K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 28.7x | 28.6x | 26.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 15.2x | 15.2x | 14.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 64 | 63 | 53 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (15.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,430
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,478
38% growth from Year 1
About Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 9,867 in Cullowhee, NC.
See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina 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 Western Carolina 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 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Western Carolina University?
At 63/100, Western Carolina University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →