Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto
with a smaller student body of 590 in Salida, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $33,361/yr fall 16% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
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 26% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $19,125 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,361 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.
Ranked #348 of 469 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs, San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $33,361 to $44,717 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.
Criminal Justice and Corrections 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 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 San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.