Criminal Justice and Corrections at Southside Virginia Community College

Graduates from the Criminal Justice and Corrections program at Southside Virginia Community College can expect a steady increase in earnings over time. Median earnings one year after graduation stand at $35,899, rising to $47,864 five years later, and reaching $49,582 after ten years. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary aligns closely with the national equivalent at approximately $46,696.59, indicating that graduates maintain a competitive earning potential despite the cost of living in Virginia being slightly higher than the national average.

The majority of graduates enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sector, with 50.0% of them finding employment in this field shortly after graduation. This trend continues with significant percentages entering the same sector at five and ten years post-graduation, at 28.9% and 19.3%, respectively. Given the estimated break-even point of approximately 18.3 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing this degree appears favorable, especially considering the strong job placement in a growing industry.