Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
55 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
56
Optimistic
55
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,422/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.9x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #219 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 $524K $521K $482K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.9x 10.9x 10.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 56 55 45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$48,040
Out-of-state: $104,816 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,828
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,233
41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $38,422/yr, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from University of Northern Colorado land near the $38,544 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 10.9x 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.

The median debt load of $18,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #219 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places University of Northern Colorado in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 41% earnings increase from $38,422 to $54,233 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Northern Colorado

With 86% of applicants admitted, University of Northern Colorado prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,693 students in Greeley, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Colorado →

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 University of Northern Colorado

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 55/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Northern Colorado?
At 55/100, University of Northern Colorado'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 →