Criminal Justiceat San Francisco State University
Graduates earn $42,211/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Criminal Justice average. Base-case 10-year earnings $562K; scenarios range from $515K to $567K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at SF State
The strong outcomes for this program are deeply tied to its San Francisco Bay Area location. You're entering a dynamic regional labor market with a high demand for skilled professionals across various public safety, government, and private sector roles. Beyond traditional law enforcement agencies like SFPD, the program prepares you for opportunities in burgeoning areas like corporate security, compliance, and financial fraud investigation, especially within the tech and finance industries prevalent here. The university's public mission and local connections likely foster strong pipelines to internships and entry-level positions, providing practical experience that translates directly into career advancement. To maximize your potential, actively seek out internships or volunteer experiences early on to gain exposure to the diverse career paths available in this unique urban and economic landscape.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to SF State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Criminal Justice
How SF State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at SF State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at SF State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Criminal Justice offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Criminal Justice trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Criminal Justice at SF State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at San Francisco State University?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
What makes San Francisco State University's Criminal Justice program stand out?
Ranked #8 of 629 programs nationally, San Francisco State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.