Criminal Justice and Corrections at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
64
Optimistic
64
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,612/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs Top 10%

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 $594K $587K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.8x 10.6x 9.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.8x 3.7x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 64 64 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,750
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,311
61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,612 at George Mason University come in 13% above the national median of $38,544 for Criminal Justice and Corrections programs.

With a 10.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% 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.

With first-year pay of $43,612 far exceeding the $17,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #40 of 629 programs, this Criminal Justice and Corrections program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The $43,612-to-$70,311 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About George Mason University

George Mason University accepts 89% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,083 students in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason 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

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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 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at George Mason University?
At 64/100, George Mason University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →