Criminal Justice and Corrections at Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving 7,347 students in Amarillo, TX.

Program Analysis

At $35,952/yr, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Amarillo College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 115.3x 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 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

The median debt load of $16,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #123 out of 469 programs, Amarillo College's Criminal Justice and Corrections offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,952 to $48,011 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $35,952/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$509K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
119.1x
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)
$4,272
Out-of-state: $9,408
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,750
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,011
34% 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 Amarillo 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 does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Amarillo College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice and Corrections nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
Criminal Justice and Corrections connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice and Corrections offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →