Criminal Justice and Corrections at Widener University

Chester, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,663/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #562 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $608K $599K $545K
Earnings Multiple 2.8x 2.8x 2.5x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$214,552
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$121,880
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,101
109% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,663 place Widener University below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 2.8x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,663 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #562 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Widener University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $66,101 show a 109% jump from the $31,663 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Widener University

Widener University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,765 students in Chester, PA. The average net cost of $121,880 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Widener 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
View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Widener University?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from Widener University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →