Criminal Justice at Cleveland Community College

Shelby, NC · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 1,236 students in Shelby, NC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,116 at Cleveland Community College come in 12% above the national median of $39,484 for Criminal Justice programs.

With a 177.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Cleveland Community College ranks #80 among 469 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $44,116 to $44,800 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

85 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
85
Score
87
High End
Earnings $44,116/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$462K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
177.4x
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)
$2,602
Out-of-state: $8,746
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,800
2% 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 Cleveland Community College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cleveland 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Cleveland Community College?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Cleveland Community College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What makes Cleveland Community College's Criminal Justice program stand out?
The #80 ranking out of 469 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Cleveland Community College?
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.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
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 →