Analysis
Criminal justice programs in California show considerable rangeβfrom online-heavy institutions reporting nearly $64,000 in first-year earnings to more modest outcomes around $36,000. William Jessup's program appears to track with the state median, suggesting graduates might expect first-year earnings in the mid-$30,000s. However, these figures come from broader state patterns rather than this specific program's track record, which remains unpublished due to small graduate cohorts. The estimated $24,000 in debt sits above California's typical $15,000 median for criminal justice bachelor's programs, though it's below the national benchmark of $26,000.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 suggests manageable repayment in absolute termsβroughly eight months of gross income. But the comparison to other California programs raises questions. If the top-performing programs are producing graduates earning $45,000 to $64,000 in their first year, what explains their advantage? Location matters considerably in law enforcement and corrections careers, where county and municipal salary schedules vary widely across California's regions. Rocklin's proximity to Sacramento could provide access to state employment opportunities, though that advantage isn't reflected in the estimated earnings data.
Given the uncertainty around both figures, families should press the school for information about where recent graduates actually work and what they earn. The spread between California's best and median criminal justice programs is too wide to ignore, and actual placement data would clarify whether William Jessup's outcomes justify its above-average debt load.
Where William Jessup University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Criminal Justice and Corrections bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (41 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $37,150 | $36,092* | β | $24,061* | β | |
| $13,320 | $64,143* | $55,598 | $28,014* | 0.44 | |
| β | $47,987* | $44,185 | $46,989* | 0.98 | |
| $13,160 | $47,869* | $46,544 | $37,625* | 0.79 | |
| $7,055 | $45,387* | $57,898 | $15,500* | 0.34 | |
| $43,550 | $45,022* | β | $14,000* | 0.31 | |
| National Median | β | $37,856* | β | $26,130* | 0.69 |
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 William Jessup University, approximately 34% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 23 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.