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Criminal justice is a popular, practical major with a clear connection to public-service careers. Whether it pays off depends on your goal and how much you spend — for some paths it's a direct route, for others the job doesn't require it. Here's the honest look.
Why it can pay off
Go in clear-eyed about
Match the degree to the specific job you want
Find the actual roles you're aiming for and check their requirements. Federal agencies and promotions often want a degree; some local entry jobs don't. If the degree clearly helps your target path and you keep the cost low, it's a sound choice — if the job hires without it, weigh that honestly.
Criminal justice rewards a low-cost, purpose-driven approach: an affordable program, internships with agencies, and a target career where the degree opens doors or earns promotions. Borrow heavily for a field where early pay is modest, and the math gets hard. Used wisely, it's a stable path into meaningful public-service work.
Decide well: use the general will-it-pay-off check, compare with a psychology degree, and review how to choose a major.