Criminal Justice and Corrections at California State University-Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach graduates start significantly below the national median at $34,247, but what sets this program apart is the trajectory: earnings jump 50% to $51,201 by year four—well above both the national average ($37,856) and California median ($36,092). The catch? That first year is rough, with graduates earning less than 75% of what their peers nationally make right out of school. This ranks in just the 25th percentile nationally, though it's closer to the middle (40th percentile) within California's competitive criminal justice landscape.

The financial picture is manageable despite the slow start. At $15,000, debt matches California's median and sits well below the national figure of $26,130. The 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—challenging initially but sustainable, especially as those mid-career numbers kick in. Nearly half of students receive Pell grants, and the program serves a lot of first-generation college students who need affordable pathways into law enforcement and corrections careers.

If your child is patient and can weather lower early earnings—perhaps living at home or taking a second job initially—this program pays off by year four. But if immediate earning power matters because of personal financial obligations, look at the top California performers like National University or Cal State East Bay, where graduates earn $45,000+ right away. This is a value play that rewards staying power.