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Criminal Justice and Corrections at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,403/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #310 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	$495K	$495K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.2x	12.2x	11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.8x	6.8x	6.3x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	53	52	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)

$40,576

Out-of-state: $72,832 (6.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,268

-26% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,214

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,664

27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,403/yr, roughly in line with the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 12.2x 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.

With first-year pay of $37,403 far exceeding the $18,214 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #310 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 27% earnings increase from $37,403 to $47,664 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 9,878 students in Chattanooga, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga →

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 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

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 52/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga?

At 52/100, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →