Criminal Justice at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 11,632 students in Lowell, MA.

Program Analysis

At $49,078 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from University of Massachusetts-Lowell earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 31.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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 $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #215 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice programs places University of Massachusetts-Lowell in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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
68
Low End
70
Score
72
High End
Earnings $49,078/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$49K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$16,570
Out-of-state: $35,396
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,784
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

What can you do with a Criminal Justice credential from University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Massachusetts-Lowell

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Massachusetts-Lowell's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How affordable is Criminal Justice at University of Massachusetts-Lowell?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $49,078/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from University of Massachusetts-Lowell find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →