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Criminal Justice at Middlesex College

Edison, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 8,321 in Edison, NJ.

Program Analysis

Middlesex College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $32,712/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 17%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 57.2x 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 37% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,250 in median debt clears fast against $32,712 in annual earnings.

Ranked #234 out of 469 programs, Middlesex College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $32,712 to $49,368 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $32,712/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$543K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.0x
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)
$9,048
Out-of-state: $14,136
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,250
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,368
51% 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

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at Middlesex College

Nursing ($69,896) Allied Health Professions ($64,174) Dental Assisting ($59,451) Business Administration ($33,090) Health Sciences ($29,265) Physical Sciences ($27,136) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($26,693) Graphic Communications ($20,483)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Middlesex College?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Criminal Justice graduates.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Middlesex College?
At $7,250 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Middlesex College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Middlesex College a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Middlesex College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Middlesex College?
Beyond Middlesex College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
The 37% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Middlesex College?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →