Criminal Justice and Corrections at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
59 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
59
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,257/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (36% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)
ROI 19.5x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #97 of 629 Criminal Justice and Corrections programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $548K $544K $501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.6x 19.5x 17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 34% 32% 26%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 59 49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,920
Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,920
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,500
75% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,257/yr fall 16% below the $38,544 national median for Criminal Justice and Corrections. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice and Corrections programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice and Corrections's typical career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,750 in median debt against $32,257 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #97 of 629 nationally, this is a top-5% Criminal Justice and Corrections program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,500 show a 75% jump from the $32,257 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fresno

California State University-Fresno has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 21,070 students enrolled in Fresno, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980/yr
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580/yr
View all 20 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice and Corrections at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice and Corrections at California State University-Fresno?
A score of 59/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice and Corrections field.
What makes California State University-Fresno's Criminal Justice and Corrections program stand out?
Ranked #97 of 629 programs nationally, California State University-Fresno lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice and Corrections from California State University-Fresno?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →