Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Diego Miramar College

San Diego, CA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 10,740 students in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

San Diego Miramar College's Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates start at $22,722/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 42%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 164.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections'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 #204 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, San Diego Miramar College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $40,895 show a 80% jump from the $22,722 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Criminal Justice and Corrections offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
71
Score
73
High End
Earnings $22,722/yr (-42% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$399K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
173.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,300
Out-of-state: $18,188
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,895
80% growth from Year 1

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%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

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 San Diego Miramar College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Diego Miramar College?
At 71/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is San Diego Miramar College a good choice for Criminal Justice and Corrections despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Criminal Justice and Corrections through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice and Corrections careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
With approximately 480,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Criminal Justice and Corrections offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →