Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster

Lancaster, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 239 in Lancaster, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,361 place San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 26% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice and Corrections career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $19,125 against $33,361/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #351 ranking among 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs places San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 34% earnings increase from $33,361 to $44,717 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice and Corrections reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $33,361/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$474K
7.6% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$19,125
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,717
34% 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 Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?
At 63/100, the score looks reasonable — but Criminal Justice and Corrections is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
Criminal Justice and Corrections connects to 17 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice and Corrections have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →