Criminal Justice and Corrections at Lackawanna College

Scranton, PA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 1,837 in Scranton, PA.

Program Analysis

At $22,394 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Lackawanna College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 10.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $18,500 against $22,394/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #468 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Lackawanna College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,394-to-$36,152 earnings arc over five years reflects a 61% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $22,394/yr (-43% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$393K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.9x
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
$35,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
9.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,152
61% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 →

About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers

Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.

Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lackawanna 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

How does Lackawanna College's Criminal Justice and Corrections program score?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Criminal Justice and Corrections. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from Lackawanna College?
Lower starting pay at Lackawanna College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Criminal Justice and Corrections through an apprenticeship instead?
Criminal Justice and Corrections connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
What's the AI uncertainty for Criminal Justice and Corrections careers?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice and Corrections careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice and Corrections workers?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →