Location: Louisville, KY•In-State Tuition: $4,706•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,242
Median Earnings (1yr)
$33,316
50th percentile
60th percentile in Kentucky
Median Debt
$11,516
19% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.35 ManageableSample: 18 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Jefferson Community and Technical College's Criminal Justice associate's program produces earnings right at the national median but performs better than most Kentucky programs—hitting the 60th percentile statewide. That's worth noting given Kentucky's competitive community college landscape with 25 programs to choose from. Graduates start at $33,316 and see decent growth to $39,415 after four years, an 18% increase that suggests room for career advancement in law enforcement or corrections.

The debt picture looks manageable at $11,516, below both state and national medians for this program. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35, meaning graduates owe about four months of their first-year salary. For a community college credential, this represents accessible entry into a stable field without overwhelming financial burden. The 29% Pell grant enrollment suggests the school serves working-class students well.

The significant caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary considerably. Still, the combination of below-average debt, above-state-average earnings, and solid growth trajectory makes this a reasonable path for Kentucky students interested in criminal justice careers. Just understand you're looking at a $33,000 starting point, not a fast track to high earnings.

Where Jefferson Community and Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections associates's programs nationally

Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeOther criminal justice and corrections programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Jefferson Community and Technical College earns $33k — 50th percentile among criminal justice and corrections associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Jefferson Community and Technical College$33,316$39,415+18%
Oakland Community College$51,827$62,425+20%
Schoolcraft Community College District$49,224$59,586+21%
Ferris State University$48,203$58,930+22%
Big Sandy Community and Technical College$29,432$33,141+13%

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Criminal Justice and Corrections associates's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (25 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville$4,706$33,316$39,415$11,5160.35
Big Sandy Community and Technical CollegePrestonsburg$4,656$29,432$33,141——
National Median—$33,269—$14,2300.43

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Jefferson Community and Technical College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.