Criminal Justice and Corrections at Salem University

Salem, WV · Private for-profit · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,665/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (8.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #566 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 $488K $488K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.3x 11.4x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.9x 8.9x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,000
Out-of-state: $55,000 (8.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,177
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,215
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,665/yr fall 33% below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 11.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,177 debt-to-$25,665 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #566 out of 629 programs, Salem University's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,665 to $42,215 over five years (64% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Salem University

a smaller institution with 695 students in Salem, WV. 51% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem 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 Salem 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 Salem University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program score?
This program scores 41/100 — on the lower end for Criminal Justice and Corrections. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Criminal Justice and Corrections earnings lower at Salem University?
Lower starting pay at Salem 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 →