Criminal Justice and Corrections at Tri-County Technical College

Pendleton, SC · Public · Associate Degree

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

Program Analysis

Tri-County Technical College's Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #222 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 and Corrections 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 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 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 and Corrections at Tri-County Technical College?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice and Corrections nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
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.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice and Corrections workers?
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 →