Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree

Southern New Hampshire University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 156,755 students enrolled in Manchester, NH.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,957/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 19.5x 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 33% gap from the optimistic case.

At $16,715 in median debt against $42,957 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #294 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Southern New Hampshire University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $42,957 to $61,744 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
65
Score
67
High End
Earnings $42,957/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$668K
9.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
20.3x
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
$32,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,715
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,744
44% growth from Year 1

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 Southern New Hampshire University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southern New Hampshire University?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
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 sensitive is Criminal Justice and Corrections to AI disruption?
The 33% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice and Corrections are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
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 →