Criminal Justice at Lake Region State College

Devils Lake, ND · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 599 students in Devils Lake, ND.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Lake Region State College's Criminal Justice program earn $57,765/yr in their first year — 46% above the $39,484 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 116.0x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

At $4,750 in median debt against $57,765 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #64 out of 469 programs, Lake Region State College's Criminal Justice program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $57,765 to $63,272 over five years (10% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
87
Score
88
High End
Earnings $57,765/yr (46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$641K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
117.1x
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
$5,478
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,750
1.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,272
10% 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 Lake Region State College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lake Region State College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Lake Region State College?
Median debt of just $4,750 against $57,765/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Lake Region State College rank so high for Criminal Justice?
Ranked #64 of 469 programs nationally, Lake Region State College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Lake Region State College?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Lake Region State College.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
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 →