Criminal Justice and Corrections at New Mexico State University-Grants
with a smaller student body of 351 in Grants, NM.
Program Analysis
At $27,638 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from New Mexico State University-Grants earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $8,550 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #220 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, New Mexico State University-Grants scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $27,638 to $36,982 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Criminal Justice and Corrections offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, all other | $136,550 | +4.5% | 53% |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | $105,980 | +2.9% | 67% |
| Detectives and criminal investigators | $93,580 | -0.7% | 47% |
About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers
Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.
Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview
Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools
Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Grants
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.