Criminal Justice at Cape Fear Community College

Wilmington, NC · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 9,497 in Wilmington, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Cape Fear Community College's Criminal Justice program earn $52,282/yr in their first year — 32% above the $39,484 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 199.0x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

A #45 ranking out of 469 Criminal Justice programs nationally puts Cape Fear Community College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

88 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
84
Low End
88
Score
90
High End
Earnings $52,282/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$52K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
199.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,748
Out-of-state: $8,892
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,840
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from Cape Fear Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cape Fear Community 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 Cape Fear Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 88/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Cape Fear Community College?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Cape Fear Community College?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Cape Fear 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 →