Criminal Justice at Essex County College
with a mid-sized student body of 5,643 in Newark, NJ.
Program Analysis
Essex County College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $31,908/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 43.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 30% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #296 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Essex County College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $31,908 to $44,582 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Criminal Justice Career Guide
See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Essex County College and 468 other schools.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Essex County College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.