Criminal Justice at Western Iowa Tech Community College
a compact campus enrolling 2,589 students in Sioux City, IA.
Program Analysis
At $43,547 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Western Iowa Tech Community College earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 51.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $11,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
At #162 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Western Iowa Tech Community College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $51,330 are relatively flat compared to the $43,547 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.
Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Western Iowa Tech Community College
How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?
Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.