Criminal Justice and Corrections at Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,939/yr (-40% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 4.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #582 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 $657K $645K $583K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.1x 3.7x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$157,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,752
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
14.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,449
185% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,939/yr fall 40% below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 4.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $22,939 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #582 out of 629 programs, Caldwell University's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $22,939 to $65,449 over five years (185% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Caldwell University

With a 65% acceptance rate, Caldwell University is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 1,437 in Caldwell, NJ. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $84,752 — 46% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Caldwell 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

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at Caldwell 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

How does Caldwell University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program score?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Criminal Justice and Corrections. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Caldwell University Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Criminal Justice and Corrections earnings lower at Caldwell University?
Lower starting pay at Caldwell 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 →