Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 and Corrections — 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 and Corrections graduates.
Ranked #111 out of 469 programs, College of the Desert's Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 and Corrections, 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 and Corrections 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% |
About Criminal Justice and Corrections Careers
Your career in criminal justice often begins on the front lines, where demand is steady. You might start as a security guard, patrolling a corporate campus, monitoring surveillance feeds, and logging daily activity. Many graduates pursue a path as a police or sheriff's patrol officer, where your "office" is a patrol car and your daily tasks involve responding to calls, community engagement, and detailed incident reporting back at the station.
Read the full Criminal Justice and Corrections career guide →
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice and Corrections Overview
Criminal Justice and Corrections 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.