Criminal Justice at Laredo College

Laredo, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 5,086 students in Laredo, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $24,339 place Laredo College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 56.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 35% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #343 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Laredo College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 48% earnings increase from $24,339 to $35,912 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $24,339/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$392K
10.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.4x
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 (In-State)
$6,600
Out-of-state: $11,496
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,912
48% 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 Laredo College? 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 Laredo College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Laredo College?
This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Laredo College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Laredo College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Laredo 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 Laredo College.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 35% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Laredo College?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Laredo College graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →