Criminal Justice at Southeast Technical College

Sioux Falls, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 2,164 students in Sioux Falls, SD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $49,560 put Southeast Technical College's Criminal Justice program 26% above the national median of $39,484 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 33.9x 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.

At #207 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Southeast Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $49,560/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$50K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
33.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$15,300
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,537
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Southeast Technical College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southeast Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southeast Technical College's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 71/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Southeast Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Southeast Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southeast Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in SD may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →