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Criminal Justice at SUNY Adirondack

Queensbury, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a smaller institution with 1,959 students in Queensbury, NY.

Program Analysis

SUNY Adirondack's Criminal Justice graduates start at $31,344/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 31.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 23% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $31,344 in annual earnings.

A #356 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places SUNY Adirondack in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 29% earnings increase from $31,344 to $40,423 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $31,344/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$424K
6.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.5x
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)
$13,056
Out-of-state: $18,384
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,423
29% growth from Year 1

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 SUNY Adirondack and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

View all 469 schools offering Criminal Justice →

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Santa Rosa Junior College ($111,649) San Bernardino Valley College ($94,285) San Diego Miramar College ($91,647) Monroe Community College ($85,061) Moreno Valley College ($81,339) Gateway Technical College ($73,818) Butte College ($73,170) Red Rocks Community College ($72,583)

Other Majors at SUNY Adirondack

Business Administration ($31,836)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Criminal Justice degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does SUNY Adirondack's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 62/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but SUNY Adirondack trails the majority of Criminal Justice programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is SUNY Adirondack a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at SUNY Adirondack may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at SUNY Adirondack?
If SUNY Adirondack's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →