Criminal Justice at Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 4,497 students in Pewaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

Waukesha County Technical College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $41,591/yr — above the $39,484 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 48.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,187 in median debt clears fast against $41,591 in annual earnings.

At #201 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Waukesha County Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $45,268 are relatively flat compared to the $41,591 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $41,591/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$458K
2.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
48.6x
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)
$9,440
Out-of-state: $13,992
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,187
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,268
9% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice 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 →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Waukesha County Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Waukesha County Technical College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Waukesha County Technical College?
At $12,187 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Waukesha County Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Waukesha County Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Waukesha County Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →