Criminal Justice at Middlesex Community College

Bedford, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 4,658 in Bedford, MA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,796 at Middlesex Community College come in 6% above the national median of $39,484 for Criminal Justice programs.

The 44.1x 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 20% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

With first-year pay of $41,796 far exceeding the $8,694 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #206 out of 469 programs, Middlesex Community College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,796 to $52,409 shows 25% 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.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $41,796/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$546K
5.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.2x
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)
$12,096
Out-of-state: $24,240
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,694
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,409
25% 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

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Middlesex Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Middlesex Community College?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Middlesex Community College?
At $8,694 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Middlesex Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
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 Middlesex Community College.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Middlesex Community College find jobs?
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 →