Criminal Justice at Lake Area Technical College
with a smaller student body of 1,710 in Watertown, SD.
Program Analysis
At $41,230/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from Lake Area Technical College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 32.1x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.
The median debt load of $12,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #255 out of 469 programs, Lake Area Technical College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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
Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Lake Area Technical College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.