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Criminal Justice at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 17,247 students in Salt Lake City, UT.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,042 at Salt Lake Community College come in 12% above the national median of $39,484 for Criminal Justice programs.

The 69.3x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

With first-year pay of $44,042 far exceeding the $8,238 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #125 out of 469 programs, Salt Lake 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 $44,042 to $57,675 shows 31% 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.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $44,042/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$608K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.4x
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)
$8,514
Out-of-state: $27,402
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,238
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,675
31% 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 Salt Lake Community College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at Salt Lake Community College

Nursing ($64,223) Computer Science ($57,428) Computer Science ($55,961) Allied Health Professions ($54,072) Vehicle Repair Technology ($51,047) Business ($43,359) Health Sciences ($40,593) Legal Support Services ($39,729)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Salt Lake Community College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at Salt Lake Community College?
At $8,238 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Salt Lake Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Salt Lake Community College?
If Salt Lake 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.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Salt Lake 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 →