Criminal Justice and Corrections at Palm Beach State College
with 20,532 students enrolled in Lake Worth, FL.
Program Analysis
Graduates of Palm Beach State College's Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 and Corrections 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 and Corrections. 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 and Corrections, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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 and Corrections 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% |
About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers
Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.
Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview
Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools
Other Majors at Palm Beach State College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.