Criminal Justice at National Park College

Hot Springs, AR · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 1,706 in Hot Springs, AR.

Program Analysis

At $34,904/yr, Criminal Justice graduates from National Park College land near the $39,484 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 32.6x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

At #315 out of 469 programs, National Park College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $34,904/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$35K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,200
Out-of-state: $14,560
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,416
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 National Park College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at National Park College?
A score of 64/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but National Park College trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
If National Park College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from National Park College find jobs?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →