Criminal Justice at Bucks County Community College

Newtown, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 5,199 students in Newtown, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,719 place Bucks County Community College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 47.6x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $28,719 far exceeding the $10,169 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #323 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Bucks County Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $50,544 show a 76% jump from the $28,719 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $28,719/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$504K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.2x
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)
$10,042
Out-of-state: $26,842
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,169
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,544
76% 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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from Bucks County Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bucks County Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Bucks County Community College?
At 64/100, 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.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Bucks County Community College?
Lower starting pay at Bucks County Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Bucks County Community College?
Beyond Bucks County Community College'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.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Bucks County Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →