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Criminal Justice at Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 6,004 in Appleton, WI.

Program Analysis

Fox Valley Technical College's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning $39,571/yr — within striking distance of the $39,484 national average for this trade.

The 59.2x 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 32% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears fast against $39,571 in annual earnings.

Ranked #170 out of 469 programs, Fox Valley Technical College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,571 to $56,146 shows 42% 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
74
Score
76
High End
Earnings $39,571/yr (0% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$605K
9.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.6x
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)
$9,832
Out-of-state: $14,218
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,146
42% 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

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

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 Fox Valley Technical College

Plumbing ($79,589) Ground Transportation ($67,999) Nursing ($63,050) Electromechanical Technology ($58,623) Dental Assisting ($58,211) Computer Programming ($54,652) Precision Metalworking ($53,507) Precision Metalworking ($52,449)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Fox Valley Technical College's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fox Valley Technical College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Fox Valley Technical College?
At $11,000 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Fox Valley Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Fox Valley Technical College?
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?
The 32% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
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 →