Criminal Justice at Herkimer County Community College
a smaller institution with 1,144 students in Herkimer, NY.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $37,597/yr, roughly in line with the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 38.4x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $37,597 far exceeding the $12,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #262 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Herkimer County Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $43,919 are relatively flat compared to the $37,597 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
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
Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Herkimer County Community College
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.