Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Criminal justice bachelor graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $47,394 3 years after graduation. This places California graduate earnings in the top 50% nationally. Additionally, criminal justice graduates earn 16% less than the total graduating bachelor class in the state.
Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.
Our criminal justice rankings cover 17 of the 23 programs available in California, accounting for 87% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or cost data.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,752
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,658
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Stanislaus State, or Stan Sate, is a public university in California’s Central Valley. It is an officially designated Hispanic-serving institution. Its Criminal Justice program is perfect for people interested in law enforcement, the legal system, forensics, working with at-risk youth, correctional counseling, and private security. Graduates go on to work as law enforcement officers, social workers, probation and parole officers, crime scene investigators, crime analysts, and more.
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#2 in California|#5 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$5,385
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,806
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The third-best college in America for criminal justice is California State University, Los Angeles, often referred to as Cal State LA. This affordable, diverse public university is an officially designated Hispanic-serving institution.
Its School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics offers a popular B.S. in Criminal Justice that gives students a thorough grounding in theory, research methodology, data analysis, criminal law, and more, empowering them to propose innovative responses to contemporary justice problems at multiple levels.
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#3 in California|#6 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,159
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$57,898
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, East Bay (Cal State East Bay or CSU East Bay) is a public university in Hayward, California, in the Bay Area. The university also has centers in Oakland and Concord. Its B.S. in Criminal Justice program delves into practice, criminological theory, crime prevention, forensic science and investigation, corrections, equity and diversity, and the impact of victimization. Seniors can take advantage of internship opportunities throughout the Bay Area.
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#4 in California|#8 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$4,058
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$46,484
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
A public university in the California State system, which is well known throughout the country for its affordability, Cal State Dominguez Hills is home to the 4th best criminal justice program in the country. Its unique Criminal Justice Administration program provides professional preparation in national and local law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, homeland security, and intelligence analysis.
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#5 in California|#9 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,370
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$60,503
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate76%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#6 in California|#13 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,911
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,016
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University, Sacramento (which also goes by CSUS, Sacramento State, or Sac State) is a public university in California’s capital city. Its BS in Criminal Justice gives students a sweeping overview of crime, crime control, the justice process, and criminal justice institutions. It is one of the most popular programs in Northern California; as a result, this major is “impacted,” meaning students need to apply to it separately after securing a place at Sacramento State.
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#7 in California|#14 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,191
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,722
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate62%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Cal State Bakersfield is a public university in the southern part of California’s Central Valley. Its Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice explores the nature and causes of crime, research and statistical methods to better understand criminal behavior, the role of criminal law, the U.S. criminal justice system, and the philosophy behind criminal punishment. The program has a reputation for academic excellence.
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#8 in California|#18 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,528
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,007
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#9 in California|#22 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,912
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,243
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#10 in California|#23 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,201
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#11 in California|#30 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$7,485
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,198
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate81%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
California State University Fullerton (CSUF or Cal State Fullerton) is a public research university in the Los Angeles area. It offers a Bachelor of Artis in Criminal Justice for students interested in the causes, consequences, and control of crime. This program is a good fit for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals who want to advance their careers. While it is interdisciplinary in nature, this program also allows students to dive deep into specific facets of criminal justice.
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#12 in California|#59 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$8,215
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$48,034
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#13 in California|#83 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,721
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,823
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#14 in California|#109 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$26,538
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$57,399
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate65%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#15 in California|#118 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,578
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$50,506
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
#16 in California|#143 in Criminal Justice nationally
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$29,412
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,598
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$23,247
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,617
Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.
Graduation rate40%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
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