Criminal Justice at Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 7,347 students in Amarillo, TX.

Program Analysis

At $35,952/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from Amarillo College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 115.3x 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 $16,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #123 out of 469 programs, Amarillo College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,952 to $48,011 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.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $35,952/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$509K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
119.1x
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 (In-State)
$4,272
Out-of-state: $9,408
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,750
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,011
34% 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

Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Amarillo College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Amarillo College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
Beyond Amarillo College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Amarillo College find jobs?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →