Criminal Justice and Corrections at Lake Superior State University

Sault Ste Marie, MI · Public · Associate Degree

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 and Corrections 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 and Corrections 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 and Corrections 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 and Corrections, 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 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 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 and Corrections program score?
A score of 67/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lake Superior State University trails the majority of Criminal Justice and Corrections programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can I learn Criminal Justice and Corrections through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
The 31% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice and Corrections are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
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 →