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Criminal Justice at Northeast Community College

Norfolk, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 2,464 students in Norfolk, NE.

Program Analysis

Northeast Community College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $33,064/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 57.8x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,040 in median debt clears fast against $33,064 in annual earnings.

Ranked #233 out of 469 programs, Northeast 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 $33,064 to $43,389 shows 31% 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.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $33,064/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$457K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.6x
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)
$7,680
Out-of-state: $10,260
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,040
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,389
31% 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

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at Northeast Community College

Electromechanical Technology ($70,808) Nursing ($62,930) Electrical Installation ($59,177) Plant Sciences ($49,481) Vehicle Repair Technology ($44,528) Medical Assisting ($42,190) Precision Metalworking ($38,353) Construction Management Technology ($37,514)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northeast Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Northeast Community College?
At $8,040 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Northeast Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Northeast Community College?
Lower starting pay at Northeast Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Northeast Community College?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Northeast Community 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 →