Criminal Justice at Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 3,255 students in Sanford, NC.

Program Analysis

Central Carolina Community College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $28,734/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 58.9x 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 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #263 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Central Carolina Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $28,734/yr (-27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$301K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.9x
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)
$5,108
Out-of-state: $17,396

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 Central Carolina Community 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 Central Carolina Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Central Carolina Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Central Carolina Community College?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Central Carolina 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 →