Criminal Justice at Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Lake Superior State University's 68% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 1,391 students in Sault Ste Marie, MI.

Program Analysis

At $44,635 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Lake Superior State University earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 22.7x 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 31% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

The median debt load of $14,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #261 out of 469 programs, Lake Superior State University's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,635 to $62,598 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $44,635/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$672K
8.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
23.6x
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
$28,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,598
40% 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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from Lake Superior State University? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lake Superior State University

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 Lake Superior State University's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 67/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lake Superior State University trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
The 31% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Lake Superior State University find jobs?
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 →