Criminal Justice at Pitt Community College

Winterville, NC · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 5,175 students in Winterville, NC.

Program Analysis

At $33,018 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Pitt Community College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 104.6x 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 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

The median debt load of $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #143 out of 469 programs, Pitt Community College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,018 to $40,672 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
76
Score
78
High End
Earnings $33,018/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$422K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
107.0x
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)
$3,944
Out-of-state: $13,160
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,672
23% 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 Pitt Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pitt Community College's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Pitt Community College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Pitt Community College?
Lower starting pay at Pitt Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Pitt Community College.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Pitt Community College 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 →