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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Hardin-Simmons University

Abilene, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,445/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 4.2x earnings multiple

Ranked #419 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	$535K	$532K	$491K
Earnings Multiple	4.2x	4.2x	3.9x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	49	48	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$126,744

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$84,124

34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,625

7.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,944

44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Hardin-Simmons University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program produces graduates earning $39,445/yr — within striking distance of the $38,544 national average for this field.

At 4.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% 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 $25,625 against $39,445/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #419 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Hardin-Simmons University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 44% earnings increase from $39,445 to $56,944 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Hardin-Simmons University

A 97% acceptance rate means Hardin-Simmons University is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,275 in Abilene, TX. The average net cost of $84,124 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Hardin-Simmons 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 Hardin-Simmons University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Hardin-Simmons 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →