Criminal Justice and Corrections at UEI College-Gardena

UEI College-Gardena's criminal justice certificate leaves graduates earning roughly half the national median for this credential—$23,026 in the first year versus $48,388 nationally. While the program performs better within California (ranking at the 25th percentile among 106 state programs), that's primarily because California's criminal justice certificate market skews lower overall. The reality is stark: nearby community colleges like San Bernardino Valley and San Diego Miramar produce graduates earning three to four times as much in similar programs, suggesting the certificate type matters far less than where you earn it.

The modest $9,500 debt load is the program's saving grace, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.41. Earnings do grow 21% to $27,886 by year four, but even this improvement leaves graduates well below what they'd earn starting out from stronger programs. With 76% of students receiving Pell grants, many attendees are likely seeking quick workforce entry, but $23,000 annually makes that transition precarious.

For parents considering this program, understand you're looking at entry-level retail wages for a credential that should command significantly more. California's community colleges offer the same type of certificate with dramatically better salary outcomes and often lower costs. Unless specific circumstances make UEI the only option, this represents a weak return compared to readily available alternatives.