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Criminal Justice at Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, IA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 10,406 students in Ankeny, IA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,555/yr, edging above the $39,484 national average for Criminal Justice — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

The 40.1x 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.

At $9,750 in median debt against $42,555 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #213 out of 469 programs, Des Moines Area Community College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $42,555 to $44,408 over five years (4% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $42,555/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$447K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.2x
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)
$11,100
Out-of-state: $22,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,750
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,408
4% 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 Des Moines Area 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

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 Des Moines Area Community College

IT Management ($66,093) Computer Science ($60,163) Nursing ($59,181) Allied Health Professions ($56,681) Homeland Security ($54,209) Vehicle Repair Technology ($52,325) Dental Assisting ($49,953) Funeral Service & Mortuary Science ($49,355)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Des Moines Area Community College?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Des Moines Area Community College?
At $9,750 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Des Moines Area Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Des Moines Area Community College?
If Des Moines Area 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.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Des Moines Area Community College find jobs?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Des Moines Area 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 →