Criminal Justice and Corrections at UEI College-Riverside

At just over $23,000 in first-year earnings, UEI College-Riverside's Criminal Justice certificate produces income that falls far short of what California's community colleges achieve with similar programs. While this program ranks in the 25th percentile statewide, that's misleading context—California's median sits at roughly $30,000, and multiple community colleges generate earnings three to four times higher than UEI's outcomes. The $9,500 in debt is relatively modest, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 reflects the challenging reality of sub-poverty-level starting wages.

The 21% earnings growth to $27,886 by year four doesn't change the fundamental math here. That's still less than many retail positions pay, and dramatically below the $48,000 national median for this credential. Three-quarters of graduates receive Pell grants, suggesting this institution serves students with limited alternatives, but nearby Moreno Valley College—also serving a similar demographic—produces criminal justice graduates earning $81,000.

For parents considering this program, the comparison isn't hypothetical: multiple accessible California community colleges deliver criminal justice training that leads to actual careers in law enforcement or corrections. Unless there are significant barriers to attending those alternatives, this certificate represents poor preparation for the field at any price point.