Criminal Justice at Butte College

Oroville, CA · Public · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

serving 8,384 students in Oroville, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Butte College's Criminal Justice program earn $73,170/yr in their first year — 85% above the $39,484 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 636.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 36% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

A #1 ranking out of 469 programs puts Butte College in the top 1% for Criminal Justice. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth is modest: $73,170 to $84,378 over five years (15% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Criminal Justice, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

93 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
88
Low End
93
Score
94
High End
Earnings $73,170/yr (85% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$863K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
646.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$1,336
Out-of-state: $8,416
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$84,378
15% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980 +2.9% 67%
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580 -0.7% 47%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

Explore what Criminal Justice graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 469 programs nationwide.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Butte College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Butte College's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 93/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Butte College's Criminal Justice graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Why does Butte College rank so high for Criminal Justice?
Ranked #1 of 469 programs nationally, Butte College lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
Beyond Butte College's classroom route, 17 registered apprenticeships map to Criminal Justice careers — including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Criminal Justice graduates from Butte College find jobs?
The very large job market (480,600 annual openings) works in favor of Criminal Justice graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →