Criminal Justice at Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, NC · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a smaller student body of 1,998 in Goldsboro, NC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,557 track close to the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 168.1x 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.

Wayne Community College ranks #92 among 469 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

83 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
83
Score
85
High End
Earnings $40,557/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$424K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
168.1x
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)
$2,524
Out-of-state: $8,668

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wayne Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Wayne Community College?
A score of 83/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Wayne Community College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What makes Wayne Community College's Criminal Justice program stand out?
Among 469 Criminal Justice programs, Wayne Community College's #92 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Wayne Community College?
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.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. Wayne Community College graduates enter a market shaped by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →