Criminal Justice at Onondaga Community College
with a smaller student body of 4,349 in Syracuse, NY.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $27,074 place Onondaga Community College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.3x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $27,074 far exceeding the $8,605 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #396 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Onondaga Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $43,735 show a 62% jump from the $27,074 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Criminal Justice Career Guide
Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Onondaga Community College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.