Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Plains College

Levelland, TX · Public · Certificate

serving 6,124 students in Levelland, TX.

Program Analysis

At $49,987 per year, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from South Plains College significantly outpace the $39,484 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 202.6x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Ranked #51 out of 469 programs, South Plains College's Criminal Justice and Corrections program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

88 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
88
Score
89
High End
Earnings $49,987/yr (27% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$523K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
202.6x
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)
$2,581
Out-of-state: $4,837

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 Plains College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 88/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at South Plains College?
This program scores 88/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice and Corrections nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Why does South Plains College rank so high for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Ranked #51 of 469 programs nationally, South Plains College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
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?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →