Criminal Justice at Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,386/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
16.6x earnings multiple (9.1x 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 | $525K | $522K | $483K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 16.7x | 16.6x | 15.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 9.1x | 9.1x | 8.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 56 | 55 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,472
Out-of-state: $57,416 (9.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,188
61% growth from Year 1
About Western New Mexico University
with a smaller student body of 1,935 in Silver City, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 42% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Western New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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
How does Western New Mexico University's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Western New Mexico University?
Lower starting pay at Western New Mexico University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →