Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern Maine Community College
with a mid-sized student body of 5,279 in South Portland, ME.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $44,869/yr, edging above the $39,484 national average for Criminal Justice and Corrections — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 70.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.
At $9,414 in median debt against $44,869 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
At #118 of 469 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice and Corrections program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $52,803 are relatively flat compared to the $44,869 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Criminal Justice and Corrections offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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 Southern Maine Community College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.