Criminal Justice at CUNY Hostos Community College

Bronx, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 4,883 in Bronx, NY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,343/yr fall 28% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 45.3x 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 $5,600 in median debt against $28,343 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #339 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places CUNY Hostos Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,343-to-$48,198 earnings arc over five years reflects a 70% 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.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $28,343/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$497K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
47.8x
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)
$10,416
Out-of-state: $16,176
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,600
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,198
70% 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 CUNY Hostos 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 does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at CUNY Hostos Community College?
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 CUNY Hostos Community College?
At $5,600 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from CUNY Hostos Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from CUNY Hostos Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If CUNY Hostos Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
Beyond CUNY Hostos Community College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from CUNY Hostos Community College find jobs?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. CUNY Hostos Community College 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 →