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Criminal Justice at Northampton County Area Community College

Bethlehem, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 7,512 in Bethlehem, PA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,430/yr fall 20% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 47.0x 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 graduates.

At $15,250 in median debt against $31,430 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #282 out of 469 programs, Northampton County Area Community College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $31,430 to $47,582 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $31,430/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$524K
10.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
49.3x
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)
$10,620
Out-of-state: $29,460
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,250
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,582
51% growth from Year 1

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at Northampton County Area Community College

Nursing ($73,236) Allied Health Professions ($54,892) Dental Assisting ($50,692) Practical Nursing ($49,105) Funeral Service & Mortuary Science ($39,949) Hospitality Management ($37,199) Veterinary Technology ($34,335) Business Administration ($33,977)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Northampton County Area Community College?
At 66/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Northampton County Area Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Northampton County Area Community College?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Northampton County Area Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice careers?
Our model shows a 37% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Northampton County Area 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 →