Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
50
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,781/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.9x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #369 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 $504K $503K $467K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.9x 9.9x 9.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 50 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,752
Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$98,128
-93% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,134
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,781 track close to the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

A 9.9x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

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 $20,500 against $35,781/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #369 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places University of South Carolina-Columbia in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 37% earnings increase from $35,781 to $49,134 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

With a 61% acceptance rate, University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →

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 South Carolina-Columbia

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 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice and Corrections is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →