Criminal Justice at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, NC · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 4,073 students in Salisbury, NC.

Program Analysis

At $46,993 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 271.8x 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 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Ranked #62 out of 469 programs, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's Criminal Justice program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $46,993 to $55,540 over five years (18% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
87
Score
89
High End
Earnings $46,993/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$571K
4.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
276.8x
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)
$2,064
Out-of-state: $6,672
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,540
18% 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

Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rowan-Cabarrus 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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Why does Rowan-Cabarrus Community College rank so high for Criminal Justice?
Ranked #62 of 469 programs nationally, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
If Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College find jobs?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College 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 →