Criminal Justice at Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

With 96% of applicants admitted, Arkansas Tech University prioritizes broad access, serving 5,993 students in Russellville, AR.

Program Analysis

At $36,076/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from Arkansas Tech University land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 27.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $24,710 against $36,076/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #330 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Arkansas Tech University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 27% earnings increase from $36,076 to $45,728 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $36,076/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$478K
6.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
28.1x
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)
$17,016
Out-of-state: $29,004
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,710
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,728
27% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Arkansas Tech University and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Arkansas Tech University

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Arkansas Tech University?
At 63/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Arkansas Tech University?
Beyond Arkansas Tech University's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Arkansas Tech University find jobs?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →