Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University-Grants

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

with a smaller student body of 351 in Grants, NM.

Program Analysis

At $27,638 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from New Mexico State University-Grants earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 88.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $8,550 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #220 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, New Mexico State University-Grants scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $27,638 to $36,982 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
70
Score
72
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)
91.8x
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)
$4,272
Out-of-state: $8,544
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-Grants

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University-Grants?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. New Mexico State University-Grants's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is New Mexico State University-Grants a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at New Mexico State University-Grants 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 New Mexico State University-Grants?
If New Mexico State University-Grants'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.
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. New Mexico State University-Grants 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 →