Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, NC · Public · Certificate

with a smaller student body of 1,555 in Polkton, NC.

Program Analysis

South Piedmont Community College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $47,748/yr — above the $39,484 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 247.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

South Piedmont Community College ranks #58 among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
87
Score
89
High End
Earnings $47,748/yr (21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$500K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
247.1x
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)
$2,022
Out-of-state: $6,630

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 →

About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers

Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.

Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Piedmont Community 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 does a 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Piedmont Community College?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. South Piedmont Community College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Is South Piedmont Community College one of the best schools for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
The #58 ranking out of 469 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice and Corrections offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →