Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at UEI College-Chula Vista

Median Earnings (1yr)

$29,663

10th percentile

40th percentile in California

Median Debt

$9,500

29% below national median

Analysis

UEI College-Chula Vista's criminal justice certificate delivers earnings that fall dramatically short of national expectations but align surprisingly well with California's competitive landscape. While graduates earn just $29,663 in their first year—placing this program in the bottom 10% nationally—it actually sits at the 40th percentile among California's 106 criminal justice programs. This stark contrast reveals how challenging the California market is for entry-level criminal justice careers.

The program's saving grace is its relatively modest debt load of $9,500, which matches the California median and creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32. With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, this appears designed for students seeking affordable workforce entry rather than high earnings potential. However, the minimal earnings growth over four years (just 2%) suggests limited advancement opportunities for graduates.

For families prioritizing low debt over earning potential, this program offers a reasonable path into criminal justice work. But parents should understand their child will likely earn about $18,000 less annually than the national average for similar programs, with little prospect for significant salary growth. If higher earnings are important, California's community colleges offer dramatically better outcomes—some delivering triple the starting salaries.

Where UEI College-Chula Vista Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How UEI College-Chula Vista graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
UEI College-Chula Vista	$29,663	$30,366	+2%
Santa Rosa Junior College	$111,649	$92,628	-17%
Butte College	$73,170	$83,782	+15%
San Bernardino Valley College	$94,285	$37,833	-60%
UEI College-Huntington Park	$29,663	$30,366	+2%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (106 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
UEI College-Chula VistaChula Vista	—	$29,663	$30,366	$9,500	0.32
Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa	$1,318	$111,649	$92,628	$14,125	0.13
San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino	$1,185	$94,285	$37,833	$19,500	0.21
San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego	$1,150	$91,647	—	$13,738	0.15
Moreno Valley CollegeMoreno Valley	$1,420	$81,339	—	—	—
Butte CollegeOroville	$1,336	$73,170	$83,782	$15,414	0.21
National Median	—	$48,388	—	$13,355	0.28

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Compliance Officers

Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Compliance Inspectors

Inspect and investigate sources of pollution to protect the public and environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local regulations and ordinances.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Monitor and evaluate compliance with equal opportunity laws, guidelines, and policies to ensure that employment practices and contracting arrangements give equal opportunity without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

Coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations. May compile and prepare materials for submission to regulatory agencies.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

$78,420/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

Conduct investigations related to suspected violations of federal, state, or local laws to prevent or solve crimes.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Police Identification and Records Officers

Collect evidence at crime scene, classify and identify fingerprints, and photograph evidence for use in criminal and civil cases.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

Intelligence Analysts

Gather, analyze, or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems. Use intelligence data to anticipate and prevent organized crime activities, such as terrorism.

$77,270/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At UEI College-Chula Vista, approximately 68% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 340 graduates with reported earnings and 385 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.