Criminal Justice and Corrections at Lake Area Technical College
with a smaller student body of 1,710 in Watertown, SD.
Program Analysis
At $41,230/yr, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Lake Area Technical College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 32.1x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #255 out of 469 programs, Lake Area Technical College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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 Lake Area Technical College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.