Criminal Justice at San Antonio College

San Antonio, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 16,067 in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,867 track close to the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 63.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% 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 $9,711 in median debt against $34,867 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #198 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places San Antonio College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 23% earnings increase from $34,867 to $42,793 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $34,867/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$444K
5.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
65.0x
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)
$6,824
Out-of-state: $28,844
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,711
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,793
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

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 San Antonio College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at San Antonio College?
A score of 72/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. San Antonio College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at San Antonio College?
At $9,711 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from San Antonio College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of San Antonio College?
If San Antonio 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?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →