Criminal Justice at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, PA · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,179 students in Shippensburg, PA.

Program Analysis

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning $38,907/yr — within striking distance of the $39,484 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 30.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $38,907 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #283 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
66
Score
67
High End
Earnings $38,907/yr (-1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$407K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
30.1x
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)
$13,544
Out-of-state: $15,798
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 66/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania?
At 66/100, 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania?
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 →