Criminal Justice at Oakland Community College
enrolling 11,772 students in Auburn Hills, MI.
Program Analysis
Oakland Community College Criminal Justice graduates command $51,827/yr out of the gate, well above the $39,484 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 116.8x 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.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,972 in median debt clears fast against $51,827 in annual earnings.
At #79 of 469 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $51,827 to $68,864 over five years — a 33% 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.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Oakland Community College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.