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Criminal Justice at College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 5,898 students in Nampa, ID.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,234 place College of Western Idaho below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 64.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 34% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $28,234 far exceeding the $8,325 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #269 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places College of Western Idaho in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 47% earnings increase from $28,234 to $41,405 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.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
67
Score
69
High End
Earnings $28,234/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$451K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.6x
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)
$6,672
Out-of-state: $14,688
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,325
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,405
47% 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 College of Western Idaho and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at College of Western Idaho

Nursing ($74,246) Allied Health Professions ($53,281) Drafting & Design Technology ($49,508) Drafting & Design Technology ($48,988) Heavy Equipment Technology ($48,524) Precision Metalworking ($40,029) IT Management ($39,962) Precision Metalworking ($39,310)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at College of Western Idaho?
At 67/100, 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.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at College of Western Idaho?
At $8,325 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from College of Western Idaho carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is College of Western Idaho a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If College of Western Idaho's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
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.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 34% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from College of Western Idaho?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →