Criminal Justice at Fresno City College

Fresno, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

enrolling 18,774 students in Fresno, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,467 place Fresno City College below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 183.8x 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 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Ranked #128 out of 469 programs, Fresno City College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $29,467 to $48,076 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

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

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
77
Score
78
High End
Earnings $29,467/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$517K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
193.8x
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)
$2,668
Out-of-state: $18,908
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,076
63% 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 Fresno City College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 77/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Fresno City College?
This program scores 77/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Fresno City College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Fresno City College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Fresno City College?
The DOL recognizes 17 apprenticeship pathways related to Criminal Justice. For students weighing Fresno City College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Fresno City College?
Job availability for Criminal Justice is strong — 480,600 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Fresno City College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →