Criminal Justice and Corrections at UEI College-Fresno

UEI College-Fresno's Criminal Justice certificate produces graduates earning less than half the national median for this program—$23,849 versus $48,388 nationwide. Even within California, where this program generally pays less, graduates here fall below the state median of $29,940. The 25th percentile state ranking means three-quarters of California programs deliver better earnings outcomes. When community colleges like Santa Rosa Junior College and San Bernardino Valley College prepare graduates who earn $90,000-$110,000 in the same field, the stark gap becomes hard to justify.

The debt load is modest at $9,500, and serving a predominantly Pell-eligible population (74%) suggests the school addresses an underserved community. Earnings do grow 6% to $25,338 by year four, but that still leaves graduates earning roughly minimum wage full-time income. For context, California's criminal justice field offers real opportunities—the state median for this credential is nearly $30,000—but this program isn't connecting graduates to those better-paying positions.

Unless your child has compelling reasons to attend this specific location, California's community college system offers demonstrably stronger pathways into criminal justice careers at similar or lower cost. The earnings differential isn't marginal—it's transformational.