Criminal Justice at Morton College

Cicero, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 2,593 in Cicero, IL.

Program Analysis

Morton College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $31,143/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 43.8x 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 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

At #292 out of 469 programs, Morton College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $31,143 to $41,713 shows 34% 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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $31,143/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$442K
7.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.3x
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)
$9,768
Out-of-state: $22,056
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,713
34% 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

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Morton College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 65/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Morton College?
This program scores 65/100 — 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.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Morton College?
Lower starting pay at Morton College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
Beyond Morton 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 many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Morton 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 →