Criminal Justice and Corrections at Laredo College

Laredo, TX · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 5,086 students in Laredo, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,339 place Laredo College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 56.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 35% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #343 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Laredo College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $24,339 to $35,912 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 $24,339/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$392K
10.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.4x
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)
$6,600
Out-of-state: $11,496
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,912
48% 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 Laredo College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Laredo College?
This program scores 63/100 — 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.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from Laredo College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Laredo 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 and Corrections graduates?
Criminal Justice and Corrections connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice and Corrections to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 35% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice and Corrections offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →