Criminal Justice and Corrections at Northwestern Michigan College

Traverse City, MI · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 2,668 students in Traverse City, MI.

Program Analysis

Northwestern Michigan College Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates command $52,976/yr out of the gate, well above the $39,484 national median. That 34% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 51.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #129 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places Northwestern Michigan College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
77
Score
78
High End
Earnings $52,976/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$53K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,700
Out-of-state: $25,524
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,384
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 →

About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers

Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.

Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwestern Michigan 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 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Northwestern Michigan College?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice and Corrections nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →