Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Starting salaries of $31,499/yr fall 20% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 34.9x 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 36% gap from the optimistic case.

At $9,664 in median debt against $31,499 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #346 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $31,499 to $46,740 over five years — a 48% 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.