Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
16
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$215,759
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$27,210
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Butte College
Grad rate: 32.8% |
+$801,195 | $83,782 | $13,636 | $15,414 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Santa Rosa Junior College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
+$607,482 | $74,010 | $13,649 | $14,125 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
College of the Desert
Grad rate: 28.1% |
+$179,087 | $51,957 | $20,053 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Cabrillo College
Grad rate: 35.3% |
+$95,575 | $47,960 | $23,625 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
San Bernardino Valley College
Grad rate: 20.6% |
-$124,320 | $37,833 | $14,655 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
UEI College-Garden Grove
Grad rate: 59.8% |
-$428,449 | $22,703 | $29,684 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
UEI College-Ontario
Grad rate: 52.6% |
-$429,416 | $22,703 | $30,651 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
UEI College-West Covina
Grad rate: 62.1% |
-$429,901 | $22,703 | $31,136 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
UEI College-Oceanside
Grad rate: 65.0% |
-$429,936 | $22,703 | $31,171 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
UEI College-Reseda
Grad rate: 69.3% |
-$430,308 | $22,703 | $31,543 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
UEI College-Huntington Park
Grad rate: 61.0% |
-$431,089 | $22,703 | $32,324 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
UEI College-Chula Vista
Grad rate: 60.5% |
-$431,113 | $22,703 | $32,348 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
UEI College-Riverside
Grad rate: 53.7% |
-$442,443 | $22,088 | $31,378 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
UEI College-Gardena
Grad rate: 62.6% |
-$442,928 | $22,088 | $31,863 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
UEI College-Bakersfield
Grad rate: 59.7% |
-$557,611 | $16,443 | $33,646 | $9,500 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Degrees by State
Browse Criminal Justice and Corrections programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.