Criminal Justice at College of the Desert
with a mid-sized student body of 8,900 in Palm Desert, CA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $32,482 place College of the Desert below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The 203.9x 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 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.
Ranked #111 out of 469 programs, College of the Desert's Criminal Justice program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth from $32,482 to $60,488 over five years (86% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.
With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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
See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from College of the Desert and 468 other schools.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at College of the Desert
Explore the Degree Alternative
Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.