Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Texas College
enrolling 16,131 students in McAllen, TX.
Program Analysis
At $25,738 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from South Texas College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.
With a 37.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 31% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
A #411 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places South Texas College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
A 40% earnings increase from $25,738 to $36,079 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
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 Texas College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.