Criminal Justice at Sussex County Community College

Newton, NJ · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 2,055 students in Newton, NJ.

Program Analysis

At $32,079 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Sussex County Community College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 38.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $8,250 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #327 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Sussex County Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 30% earnings increase from $32,079 to $41,832 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.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $32,079/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$440K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.7x
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)
$11,088
Out-of-state: $18,048
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,250
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,832
30% 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 Sussex County Community 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 Sussex County Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Sussex County Community College?
This program scores 64/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from Sussex County Community College?
At $8,250 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from Sussex County Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Sussex County Community College a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Sussex County Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
If Sussex County Community College'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.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Sussex County Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in NJ may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →