Criminal Justice and Corrections at Texas Southern University

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,763/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 14.4x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #313 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 $532K $529K $489K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.5x 14.4x 13.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 6.1x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,692
Out-of-state: $87,092 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,936
-115% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$31,085
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,298
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,763 place Texas Southern University below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 14.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #313 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Texas Southern University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $29,763-to-$52,298 earnings arc over five years reflects a 76% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,619 students in Houston, TX. 71% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Texas Southern 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 Texas Southern University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Texas Southern University?
At 52/100, Texas Southern University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the payoff timeline for a Criminal Justice and Corrections degree from Texas Southern University?
At $31,085 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Is Texas Southern University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Texas Southern 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 →