Criminal Justice at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Marion, IN · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 5,808 students in Marion, IN.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,495/yr, roughly in line with the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 24.9x 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 2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 8 months of the $38,495 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #329 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $40,765 are relatively flat compared to the $38,495 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $38,495/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$411K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
25.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$16,432
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,765
6% growth from Year 1

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%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →