Criminal Justice at Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 13,872 in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

At $32,807 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Northwest Vista College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 63.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #209 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Northwest Vista College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 30% earnings increase from $32,807 to $42,633 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
71
Score
72
High End
Earnings $32,807/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$448K
6.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.7x
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)
$6,824
Out-of-state: $28,844
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,633
30% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northwest Vista College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest Vista 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 does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Northwest Vista College?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Northwest Vista College?
Lower starting pay at Northwest Vista 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 graduates?
Beyond Northwest Vista College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Northwest Vista College find jobs?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Northwest Vista College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →