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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,548/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #404 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	$497K	$497K	$463K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.3x	12.3x	11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.0x	6.0x	5.6x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	48	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,520

Out-of-state: $83,280 (6.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$39,848

2% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,238

7.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,451

47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,548 place Eastern Kentucky University below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 12.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 7% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $20,238 against $31,548/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #404 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Eastern Kentucky University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $31,548 to $46,451 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky 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 Eastern Kentucky 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 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Eastern Kentucky University?

At 48/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Eastern Kentucky University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Eastern Kentucky 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 →