Best Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in California

California has 31 colleges offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 7,055 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,668 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,543.

Schools in CA

$33,668

CA Avg. Earnings

$34,543

National Avg.

742

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Criminal Justice and Corrections in California

Public Schools (16)

$34,237

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$36,920

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,683 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Criminal Justice and Corrections Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,819

Graduates: 83

Acceptance: N/A

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$39,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,504

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 94.7%

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$41,789

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,512

Graduates: 66

Acceptance: 73.6%

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$36,145

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,264

Graduates: 266

Acceptance: 96.8%

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public

$38,609

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,329

Graduates: 253

Acceptance: 96.2%

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

$36,275

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,541

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 88.9%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$38,195

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,592

Graduates: 495

Acceptance: 93.6%

Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

Stockton, CA ·

$34,420

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,463

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: N/A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$40,265

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,251

Graduates: 665

Acceptance: N/A

#10

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$33,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,210

Graduates: 192

Acceptance: 47.1%

#12

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$32,988

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,845

Graduates: 193

Acceptance: 93.7%

#13

DeVry University-California

Ontario, CA · For-Profit

$34,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,292

Graduates: 148

Acceptance: 43.3%

#14

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public

$33,179

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,872

Graduates: 314

Acceptance: 91.3%

#15

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

$27,860

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,547

Graduates: 422

Acceptance: 34.4%

#16

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$34,872

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,658

Graduates: 429

Acceptance: 86.7%

#17

University of Phoenix-California

Ontario, CA ·

$36,887

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,195

Graduates: 1,937

Acceptance: N/A

#18

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$33,281

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,136

Graduates: 197

Acceptance: 91.9%

#19

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$31,986

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,928

Graduates: 369

Acceptance: 98.3%

#20

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

La Sierra University

Riverside, CA · Private

$26,933

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,359

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: 93.3%

#22

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$30,926

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,455

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 88.2%

#23

California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public

$30,248

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,175

Graduates: 394

Acceptance: 96.4%

#24

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public

$34,942

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,743

Graduates: 216

Acceptance: 97.5%

#25

University of Antelope Valley

Lancaster, CA ·

$22,534

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,967

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: N/A

#26

Platt College-Los Angeles

Alhambra, CA ·

$28,366

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#27

Platt College-Ontario

Ontario, CA ·

$28,366

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#28

Platt College-Riverside

Riverside, CA ·

$28,366

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#29

Platt College-Anaheim

Anaheim, CA ·

$28,366

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

#30

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,457

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 80.2%

#31

California Aeronautical University

Bakersfield, CA ·

$32,925

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,192

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in California?

National University ranks #1 for Criminal Justice and Corrections in California with median graduate earnings of $42,682 within two years of graduation. There are 31 schools offering Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state.

How much do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates earn in California?

Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates in California earn an average of $33,668 within two years of graduation. This is 3% below the national average of $34,543 for this major.

What is the hardest Criminal Justice and Corrections school to get into in California?

San Diego State University is the most selective Criminal Justice and Corrections program in California with an acceptance rate of 34.4%. The average acceptance rate across Criminal Justice and Corrections programs in the state is 83.9%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Criminal Justice and Corrections in California?

In California, private Criminal Justice and Corrections programs produce average earnings of $36,920 vs $34,237 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 16 public and 5 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Criminal Justice and Corrections in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.