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Criminal Justice and Corrections at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,564/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)

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

ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #306 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	$488K	$488K	$456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.1x	18.1x	16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.0x	7.0x	6.5x
Probability of Field Employment	34%	32%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	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)

$26,940

Out-of-state: $69,564 (7.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$53,572

-99% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,140

9.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$44,456

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,564/yr fall 18% below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 18.1x 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.

At $25,140 against $31,564/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #306 ranking among 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Winston-Salem State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 41% earnings increase from $31,564 to $44,456 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Winston-Salem State University

With a 69% acceptance rate, Winston-Salem State University is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 4,244 in Winston-Salem, NC. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Winston-Salem State University →

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 Winston-Salem State University

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 Winston-Salem State University?

At 52/100, Winston-Salem State University's Criminal Justice and Corrections program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Winston-Salem State University a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If Winston-Salem State University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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