Criminal Justice at Columbus State University

Columbus, GA · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

With 99% of applicants admitted, Columbus State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,537 students in Columbus, GA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,153 put Columbus State University's Criminal Justice program 80% above the national median of $39,484 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 129.4x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Ranked #24 out of 469 programs, Columbus State University's Criminal Justice program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

90 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
86
Low End
90
Score
91
High End
Earnings $71,153/yr (80% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$71K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
129.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,751
Out-of-state: $16,805
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,292
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 Columbus State University and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Columbus State University's Criminal Justice program score?
At 90/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Columbus State University one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Among 469 Criminal Justice programs, Columbus State University's #24 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Columbus State University?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Columbus State University.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Columbus State University 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 →