Criminal Justice at Ferris State University
Ferris State University has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,087 in Big Rapids, MI.
Program Analysis
Ferris State University's Criminal Justice graduates start at $48,203/yr — above the $39,484 national average, though not by a wide margin.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 23.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 24% gap from the optimistic case.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,357 in median debt clears fast against $48,203 in annual earnings.
Ranked #246 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Ferris State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $48,203 to $62,783 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Criminal Justice 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 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% |
Criminal Justice Career Guide
Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Ferris State University
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.