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Criminal Justice at Antelope Valley Community College District

Lancaster, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 10,905 students in Lancaster, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,211/yr fall 29% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 208.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $9,000 in median debt against $28,211 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #136 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Antelope Valley Community College District in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $28,211-to-$46,648 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $28,211/yr (-29% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$495K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
220.2x
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)
$2,248
Out-of-state: $16,456
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,648
65% 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

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at Antelope Valley Community College District

Nursing ($89,234) Allied Health Professions ($64,230) Industrial Production Technology ($63,060) Industrial Production Technology ($60,323) Business Administration ($26,096) Social Sciences ($24,052)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Antelope Valley Community College District?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Antelope Valley Community College District?
Starting salary is one data point. If Antelope Valley Community College District's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Antelope Valley Community College District?
If Antelope Valley Community College District's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice careers?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Antelope Valley Community College District?
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 →