Criminal Justice at Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

one of the larger campuses at 54,926 students in Indianapolis, IN.

Program Analysis

At $33,463 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Ivy Tech Community College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 82.2x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $10,900 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #160 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Ivy Tech Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $39,943 are relatively flat compared to the $33,463 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.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
74
Score
76
High End
Earnings $33,463/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$412K
4.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.8x
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)
$4,912
Out-of-state: $9,465
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,900
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,943
19% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ivy Tech Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Ivy Tech Community College?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Ivy Tech Community College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Ivy Tech Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Ivy Tech Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Ivy Tech Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
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 →