Criminal Justice at South College

Knoxville, TN · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 6,323 in Knoxville, TN.

Program Analysis

South College's Criminal Justice graduates start at $24,095/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 39%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

At 7.0x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

At #469 out of 469 programs, South College's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $24,095/yr (-39% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$252K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
7.0x
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
$35,870

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

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at South College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at South College?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Criminal Justice. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at South College?
Starting salary is one data point. If South College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at South College?
Beyond South College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from South College?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. South 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 →