Criminal Justice at Sacramento City College
with a mid-sized student body of 16,952 in Sacramento, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $31,146/yr fall 21% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 201.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.
At #115 of 469 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $58,913 show a 89% jump from the $31,146 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.
Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.
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
From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at Sacramento City College
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.