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Criminal Justice at College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with 27,790 students enrolled in Las Vegas, NV.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,301 place College of Southern Nevada below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 50.8x 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 37% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

With first-year pay of $26,301 far exceeding the $7,404 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #335 out of 469 programs, College of Southern Nevada's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,301 to $39,823 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $26,301/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$438K
10.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
53.3x
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)
$8,220
Out-of-state: $24,418
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,404
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,823
51% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from College of Southern Nevada and 468 other schools.

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 College of Southern Nevada

Nursing ($77,082) Allied Health Professions ($64,976) Business Administration ($39,636) Accounting ($30,553) Security Technology ($29,354) Legal Support Services ($28,803) Vehicle Repair Technology ($26,635) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($25,433)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at College of Southern Nevada?
At 63/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from College of Southern Nevada?
At $7,404 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from College of Southern Nevada carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is College of Southern Nevada a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If College of Southern Nevada's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
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.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
Our model shows a 37% 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 College of Southern Nevada?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. College of Southern Nevada graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →