Criminal Justice and Corrections at Henry Ford College

Dearborn, MI · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 8,695 students in Dearborn, MI.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,336/yr fall 33% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 63.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections'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.

Median debt of $16,687 represents roughly 8 months of the $26,336 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #276 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Henry Ford College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,948 show a 101% jump from the $26,336 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $26,336/yr (-33% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$462K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
66.8x
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)
$6,920
Out-of-state: $14,080
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,687
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,948
101% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 →

About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers

Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.

Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at Henry Ford 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 Henry Ford College's Criminal Justice and Corrections program score?
This program scores 66/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Why are Criminal Justice and Corrections earnings lower at Henry Ford College?
Lower starting pay at Henry Ford College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice and Corrections careers?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice and Corrections are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice and Corrections workers?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →