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Criminal Justice and Corrections at St. Mary's University

San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,237/yr (-22% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 3.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #616 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	$496K	$495K	$461K
Earnings Multiple	3.4x	3.4x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	36	27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$144,968

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,408

41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

9.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,608

51% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,237 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from St. Mary's University earn below the $38,544 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

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 $25,000 against $30,237/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #616 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places St. Mary's University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,237-to-$45,608 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About St. Mary's University

With 89% of applicants admitted, St. Mary's University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 1,911 students in San Antonio, TX. 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $85,408 over four years represents a 41% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's 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 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at St. Mary's University?

At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Criminal Justice and Corrections programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is St. Mary's University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If St. Mary's University'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 →