Criminal Justice and Corrections at Middlesex College

Edison, NJ · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 8,321 in Edison, NJ.

Program Analysis

Middlesex College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $32,712/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 57.2x 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 37% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,250 in median debt clears fast against $32,712 in annual earnings.

Ranked #234 out of 469 programs, Middlesex College's Criminal Justice and Corrections offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $32,712 to $49,368 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $32,712/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$543K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.0x
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)
$9,048
Out-of-state: $14,136
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,250
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,368
51% 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 Middlesex College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Middlesex College?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Middlesex College?
At $7,250 in median debt, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Middlesex College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Middlesex College a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Middlesex College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
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.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice and Corrections to AI disruption?
The 37% 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 →