Criminal Justice and Corrections at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster

San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster's Criminal Justice program performs solidly for an associate's degree, hitting the national median for earnings while keeping debt below average. The $19,125 debt load translates to a manageable 0.57 ratio against first-year earnings of $33,361, and graduates actually owe about $2,000 more than California's median but substantially less than the national benchmark. Among California's 131 programs, this one ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—meaning it outperforms a majority of in-state competitors, though it trails the top-tier Carrington programs by roughly $2,500 annually.

The 9% earnings growth to $36,498 by year four suggests steady progression in this field, likely reflecting the value of on-the-job experience in law enforcement or corrections work. For a program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (60%), these outcomes represent genuine accessibility paired with reasonable economic returns. The debt burden won't dominate graduate finances, and starting salaries align with what criminal justice employers typically pay entry-level workers.

This program offers predictable value rather than exceptional returns. If your child is committed to law enforcement or corrections work and needs an affordable pathway into the field, this delivers on that promise without creating financial hardship. Just understand they won't significantly out-earn peers from other California programs—they'll be competing on roughly equal footing.