Criminal Justice and Corrections at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
53
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,624/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #277 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs Top 50%

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 $487K $488K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.6x 10.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 53 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)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $41,624 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Iowa State University earn slightly above the $38,544 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #277 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Iowa State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About Iowa State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Iowa State University prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 25,033 in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa 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
View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Iowa State University?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice and Corrections field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →