Criminal Justice at North Country Community College

Saranac Lake, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 762 students in Saranac Lake, NY.

Program Analysis

North Country Community College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $31,175/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 24.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #395 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, North Country Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
60
Score
61
High End
Earnings $31,175/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$326K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
24.9x
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)
$13,124
Out-of-state: $27,468

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice 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 →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Country Community 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at North Country Community College?
A score of 60/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but North Country Community College trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from North Country Community College?
Lower starting pay at North Country Community 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?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from North Country Community College find jobs?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →