Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo

Alamogordo, NM · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 569 students in Alamogordo, NM.

Program Analysis

New Mexico State University-Alamogordo's Criminal Justice graduates start at $27,638/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 72.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,550 in median debt clears fast against $27,638 in annual earnings.

A #251 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places New Mexico State University-Alamogordo in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 34% earnings increase from $27,638 to $36,982 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.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
68
Score
70
High End
Earnings $27,638/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$392K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
74.9x
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)
$5,232
Out-of-state: $12,144
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,550
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,982
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

Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo?
This program scores 68/100 — 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.
Is New Mexico State University-Alamogordo a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If New Mexico State University-Alamogordo's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
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 New Mexico State University-Alamogordo.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University-Alamogordo?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For New Mexico State University-Alamogordo graduates specifically, local market conditions in NM may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →