Analysis
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.
Where UEI College-Fresno Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How UEI College-Fresno 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-Fresno | $23,849 | $25,338 | +6% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $23,849 | $25,338 | $9,500 | 0.40 | |
| $1,318 | $111,649 | $92,628 | $14,125 | 0.13 | |
| $1,185 | $94,285 | $37,833 | $19,500 | 0.21 | |
| $1,150 | $91,647 | — | $13,738 | 0.15 | |
| $1,420 | $81,339 | — | — | — | |
| $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
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
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-Fresno, approximately 74% 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 167 graduates with reported earnings and 198 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.