Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southwest College for the Deaf

Big Spring, TX · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 47 in Big Spring, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,724/yr, roughly in line with the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 76.2x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At #190 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, Southwest College for the Deaf scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $33,724 to $41,556 over five years — a 23% 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.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
73
Score
75
High End
Earnings $33,724/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$431K
5.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
78.0x
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)
$5,532
Out-of-state: $28,092
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,556
23% 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 Southwest College for the Deaf

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southwest College for the Deaf?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Southwest College for the Deaf's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice and Corrections?
Criminal Justice and Corrections connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →