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Criminal Justice at Community College of Allegheny County

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

serving 9,305 students in Pittsburgh, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,921 place Community College of Allegheny County below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 51.9x 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 34% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

With first-year pay of $32,921 far exceeding the $13,085 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #254 out of 469 programs, Community College of Allegheny County's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,921 to $48,215 shows 46% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
68
Score
70
High End
Earnings $32,921/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$525K
10.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.2x
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)
$9,684
Out-of-state: $25,166
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,085
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,215
46% 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

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

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 Community College of Allegheny County

Electrical Installation ($151,803) Nursing ($62,668) Ground Transportation ($59,330) Allied Health Professions ($58,779) Allied Health Professions ($55,599) Clinical Laboratory Science ($48,229) Computer Programming ($42,640) Computer Science ($39,461)

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 68/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Community College of Allegheny County?
This program scores 68/100 — 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.
Is Community College of Allegheny County a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
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.
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.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Community College of Allegheny County find jobs?
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 →