Criminal Justice at York Technical College

Rock Hill, SC · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 3,813 students in Rock Hill, SC.

Program Analysis

At $44,401 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from York Technical College earn slightly above the $39,484 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 44.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

The median debt load of $5,552 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #186 out of 469 programs, York Technical College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $44,401 to $49,286 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $44,401/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$501K
2.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.4x
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)
$11,024
Out-of-state: $21,648
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,552
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,286
11% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from York Technical College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at York Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does York Technical College's Criminal Justice program score?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Criminal Justice graduates from York Technical College?
At $5,552 in median debt, Criminal Justice graduates from York Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.1x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of York Technical College?
Beyond York Technical College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice offers a very large employment pool. York Technical 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 →