Criminal Justice at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
with a smaller student body of 163 in Santa Maria, CA.
Program Analysis
Starting salaries of $33,361/yr fall 16% below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.
AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.
The $19,125 debt-to-$33,361 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #353 out of 469 programs, San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria's financial outcomes for Criminal Justice trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,361 to $44,717 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, 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 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
Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Criminal Justice Overview
Criminal Justice at Other Schools
Other Majors at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?
Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.