Criminal Justice at Post University

Waterbury, CT · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 18,975 students in Waterbury, CT.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,325 place Post University below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 14.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $29,745 against $30,325/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #418 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Post University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $30,325-to-$47,819 earnings arc over five years reflects a 58% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
56
Score
58
High End
Earnings $30,325/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$532K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
15.6x
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
$34,200
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,745
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,819
58% 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 Post University and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Post University

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Post University?
At 56/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Post University?
Lower starting pay at Post University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
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 Post University.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Post University graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →