Criminal Justice at Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

A 85% acceptance rate means Ohio University-Main Campus is accessible to most applicants, serving 18,456 students in Athens, OH.

Program Analysis

Ohio University-Main Campus's Criminal Justice graduates start at $44,159/yr — above the $39,484 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 20.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 19% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,000 in median debt clears fast against $44,159 in annual earnings.

A #281 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Ohio University-Main Campus in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 24% earnings increase from $44,159 to $54,874 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
66
Score
68
High End
Earnings $44,159/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$571K
5.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
20.8x
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)
$27,492
Out-of-state: $48,228
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,874
24% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Ohio University-Main Campus and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Ohio University-Main Campus

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Ohio University-Main Campus?
A score of 66/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Ohio University-Main Campus trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Ohio University-Main Campus?
At $13,000 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Ohio University-Main Campus carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
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 Ohio University-Main Campus find jobs?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Ohio University-Main Campus 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 →