Criminal Justice at Howard College
with a smaller student body of 1,588 in Big Spring, TX.
Program Analysis
At $33,724/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from Howard College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 76.2x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.
At #187 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Howard College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $33,724 to $41,556 over five years — a 23% 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
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 Howard College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.