Criminal Justice and Corrections at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, NC · Public · Certificate

a smaller institution with 4,073 students in Salisbury, NC.

Program Analysis

At $46,993 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 271.8x 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 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Ranked #62 out of 469 programs, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's Criminal Justice and Corrections program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $46,993 to $55,540 over five years (18% 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.

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
87
Score
89
High End
Earnings $46,993/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$571K
4.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
276.8x
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)
$2,064
Out-of-state: $6,672
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,540
18% growth from Year 1

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%
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 →

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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Why does Rowan-Cabarrus Community College rank so high for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Ranked #62 of 469 programs nationally, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice and Corrections workers?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →