Criminal Justice and Corrections at UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ
with a mid-sized student body of 7,760 in Cranford, NJ.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $30,629/yr fall 22% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
With a 48.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 40% 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.
At $11,861 in median debt against $30,629 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
A #278 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places UCNJ Union College of Union County NJ in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The $30,629-to-$51,857 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.
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
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