Criminal Justice at Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 2,457 students in Janesville, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,164 track close to the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 52.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% 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 $9,493 in median debt against $40,164 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #200 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Blackhawk Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $40,164 to $43,238 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.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $40,164/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$437K
1.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.4x
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)
$8,340
Out-of-state: $11,854
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,493
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,238
8% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Blackhawk Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Blackhawk Technical College's Criminal Justice program score?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Blackhawk Technical College?
At $9,493 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Blackhawk Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Blackhawk Technical College?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Blackhawk Technical College.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Blackhawk Technical College find jobs?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Blackhawk Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →