Criminal Justice at CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 10,556 students in Long Island City, NY.

Program Analysis

At $25,515 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 40.7x 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 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

The median debt load of $4,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #409 out of 469 programs, CUNY LaGuardia Community College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,515 to $43,643 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
59
Score
61
High End
Earnings $25,515/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$448K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.9x
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)
$10,436
Out-of-state: $16,196
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,750
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,643
71% 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 CUNY LaGuardia 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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but CUNY LaGuardia Community College trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College?
At $4,750 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from CUNY LaGuardia Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is CUNY LaGuardia 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?
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?
Our model shows a 40% 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?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. CUNY LaGuardia Community College 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 →