Criminal Justice and Corrections at South College
with a mid-sized student body of 6,323 in Knoxville, TN.
Program Analysis
South College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $24,095/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 39%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
At 7.0x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.
At #469 out of 469 programs, South College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
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 South College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.