Criminal Justice at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Visalia, CA · Private for-profit · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 2,270 students in Visalia, 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 #331 out of 469 programs, San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia'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.

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 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 →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia?
This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Is San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia a good choice for Criminal Justice 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Criminal Justice graduates?
Beyond San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Criminal Justice workers?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →