Criminal Justice at Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, CO · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 5,392 in Littleton, CO.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Arapahoe Community College's Criminal Justice program earn $54,371/yr in their first year — 38% above the $39,484 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 144.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Arapahoe Community College ranks #54 among 469 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $54,371 to $61,832 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
87
Score
89
High End
Earnings $54,371/yr (38% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$631K
3.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
146.5x
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)
$4,308
Out-of-state: $16,542
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,832
14% 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 Arapahoe Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Arapahoe Community College?
This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Arapahoe Community College one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Ranked #54 of 469 programs nationally, Arapahoe Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Arapahoe Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Arapahoe Community College?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Arapahoe Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →