Criminal Justice at Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, SC · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 4,960 in Pendleton, SC.

Program Analysis

Tri-County Technical College's Criminal Justice program produces graduates earning $35,726/yr — within striking distance of the $39,484 national average for this trade.

With a 51.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #222 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places Tri-County Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 26% earnings increase from $35,726 to $45,011 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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
70
Score
71
High End
Earnings $35,726/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$470K
5.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.8x
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)
$8,896
Out-of-state: $22,192
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,011
26% 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

Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tri-County Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Tri-County Technical College?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Tri-County Technical College?
If Tri-County Technical 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.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Tri-County Technical College find jobs?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Tri-County Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →