Criminal Justice at Northland Community and Technical College

Thief River Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 1,382 students in Thief River Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Northland Community and Technical College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $47,216/yr — above the $39,484 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 41.9x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $47,216 in annual earnings.

Ranked #176 out of 469 programs, Northland Community and Technical College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $47,216 to $52,248 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $47,216/yr (20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$531K
2.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
42.4x
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
$12,524
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,248
11% 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 Northland Community and Technical 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 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Northland Community and Technical College?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Northland Community and Technical College?
At $12,000 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Northland Community and Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
If Northland Community and Technical 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.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →