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Criminal Justice at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with 20,532 students enrolled in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Palm Beach State College's Criminal Justice program earn $69,415/yr in their first year — 76% above the $39,484 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 264.0x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

At $4,892 in median debt against $69,415 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #7 ranking out of 469 programs puts Palm Beach State College in the top 1% for Criminal Justice. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth is modest: $69,415 to $79,900 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

92 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
87
Low End
92
Score
93
High End
Earnings $69,415/yr (76% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$817K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
268.0x
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)
$3,050
Out-of-state: $10,910
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,892
0.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,900
15% 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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from Palm Beach State College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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 Palm Beach State College

Nursing ($67,495) Dental Assisting ($63,723) Allied Health Professions ($56,594) Allied Health Professions ($49,359) Fire Protection ($46,698) Legal Support Services ($46,622) Practical Nursing ($44,422) HVAC Technology ($42,882)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Palm Beach State College?
This program scores 92/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Palm Beach State College?
Median debt of just $4,892 against $69,415/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Palm Beach State College rank so high for Criminal Justice?
The #7 ranking out of 469 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Palm Beach State College?
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.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Palm Beach State College graduates specifically, local market conditions in FL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →