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Criminal Justice at Cuyahoga Community College District

Cleveland, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 12,641 students in Cleveland, OH.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,595 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 62.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% 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 $6,846 in median debt against $38,595 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #168 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Cuyahoga Community College District in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $38,595 to $46,113 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
74
Score
76
High End
Earnings $38,595/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$475K
4.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.6x
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)
$7,472
Out-of-state: $17,472
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,846
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,113
19% 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

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 Cuyahoga Community College District

Nursing ($62,630) Allied Health Professions ($52,018) Dental Assisting ($49,218) Practical Nursing ($48,692) Vehicle Repair Technology ($46,249) Information Science ($45,238) Accounting ($44,532) Health Administration ($41,914)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cuyahoga Community College District's Criminal Justice program score?
At 74/100, 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 Cuyahoga Community College District?
At $6,846 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Cuyahoga Community College District 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 Cuyahoga Community College District?
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.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Cuyahoga Community College District find jobs?
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 →