Criminal Justice at Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
52
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$31,564/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI
18.1x earnings multiple (7.0x 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 | $488K | $488K | $456K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.1x | 18.1x | 16.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.0x | 7.0x | 6.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 34% | 32% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 52 | 52 | 42 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$26,940
Out-of-state: $69,564 (7.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,140
9.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,456
41% growth from Year 1
About Winston-Salem State University
With a 69% acceptance rate, Winston-Salem State University is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem State 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 Winston-Salem State University
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Winston-Salem State University?
At 52/100, Winston-Salem State University's Criminal Justice program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Is Winston-Salem State University a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Winston-Salem State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →