Criminal Justice and Corrections at Miami Dade College

Miami, FL · Public · Certificate

serving a student body of 35,001 in Miami, FL.

Program Analysis

At $34,209/yr, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Miami Dade College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 183.6x 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 34% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $5,942 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #106 of 469 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice and Corrections program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $34,209 to $50,008 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
80
Score
82
High End
Earnings $34,209/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$544K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
191.7x
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)
$2,838
Out-of-state: $9,661
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,942
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,008
46% 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 Miami Dade College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Miami Dade College?
At 80/100, 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 and Corrections graduates from Miami Dade College?
Median debt of just $5,942 against $34,209/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Miami Dade College rank so high for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Ranked #106 of 469 programs nationally, Miami Dade College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
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.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice and Corrections careers?
The 34% 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?
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 →