Criminal Justice at Connecticut State Community College

Hartford, CT · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with 32,292 students enrolled in Hartford, CT.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,345/yr fall 21% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 49.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 38% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #270 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Connecticut State Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $31,345-to-$48,075 earnings arc over five years reflects a 53% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
66
Score
69
High End
Earnings $31,345/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$531K
11.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.2x
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)
$10,184
Out-of-state: $29,680
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,075
53% 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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from Connecticut State Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Connecticut State Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Connecticut State Community College?
A score of 66/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Connecticut State Community College trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is Connecticut State Community College 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
If Connecticut State Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice careers?
Our model shows a 38% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Connecticut State Community College graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →