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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,541/yr (-26% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 12.4x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #509 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	$487K	$487K	$455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.4x	12.4x	11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.9x	7.9x	7.4x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	44	36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$39,280

Out-of-state: $61,600 (7.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$63,776

-62% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,199

9.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,230

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $28,541/yr, trailing the $38,544 national average by 26%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 12.4x 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 $23,199 against $28,541/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #509 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,541-to-$43,230 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's 67% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a smaller institution with 2,865 students in Magnolia, AR. 45% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus →

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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

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 44/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus?

At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is Southern Arkansas University Main Campus a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Arkansas University Main Campus'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 →