Criminal Justice at California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections
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)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Criminal Justice 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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,500
75% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
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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 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 field.
What makes California State University-Fresno's Criminal Justice 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 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 →