Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $48,861 put Winona State University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program 27% above the national median of $38,544 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 13.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 9% 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 $48,861 far exceeding the $23,225 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Winona State University ranks #25 among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
A 28% earnings increase from $48,861 to $62,593 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.