Home › University of South Dakota › Criminal Justice and Corrections

Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,402/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #74 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs Top 25%

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	$533K	$530K	$489K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.1x	14.0x	13.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.3x	10.2x	9.5x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	61	61	50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,728

Out-of-state: $51,768 (10.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,620

-103% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

6.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,807

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,402/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 14.0x 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 $21,500 against $40,402/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

University of South Dakota ranks #74 among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 41% earnings increase from $40,402 to $56,807 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 5,239 students in Vermillion, SD.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Dakota →

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 Dakota

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 61/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of South Dakota?

At 61/100, University of South Dakota's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is University of South Dakota one of the best schools for Criminal Justice and Corrections?

Among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, University of South Dakota's #74 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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