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Criminal Justice at CUNY Queensborough Community College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 8,803 in Bayside, NY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,907 place CUNY Queensborough Community College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 43.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $26,907 far exceeding the $10,430 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #370 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, CUNY Queensborough Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,732 show a 70% jump from the $26,907 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
61
Score
63
High End
Earnings $26,907/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$472K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.3x
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)
$10,420
Out-of-state: $16,180
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,430
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,732
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

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

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 CUNY Queensborough Community College

Medical Assisting ($30,634) Data Processing ($26,484) Health Sciences ($26,111) Business Administration ($24,626) Physical Sciences ($23,219) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($19,582) Massage Therapy ($18,762) Fine and Studio Arts ($16,739)

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

How does CUNY Queensborough Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 61/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from CUNY Queensborough Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of CUNY Queensborough Community 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 CUNY Queensborough Community College.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
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.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from CUNY Queensborough Community College?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →