Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
with a smaller student body of 4,812 in Las Cruces, NM.
Program Analysis
At $27,638 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from New Mexico State University-Dona Ana earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
The 81.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.
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.
Ranked #219 out of 469 programs, New Mexico State University-Dona Ana's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,638 to $36,982 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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
Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.