Criminal Justice at Imperial Valley College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 6,881 in Imperial, CA.

Program Analysis

At $27,313 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Imperial Valley College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 179.5x 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 32% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Criminal Justice graduates.

Ranked #147 out of 469 programs, Imperial Valley College's Criminal Justice offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $27,313 to $38,973 shows 43% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
75
Score
77
High End
Earnings $27,313/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$421K
9.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
186.9x
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)
$2,252
Out-of-state: $15,980
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,973
43% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Criminal Justice careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Imperial Valley College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Criminal Justice at Imperial Valley College?
At 75/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Imperial Valley College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Imperial Valley College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Imperial Valley College?
Beyond Imperial Valley 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.
How sensitive is Criminal Justice to AI disruption?
Our model shows a 32% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Criminal Justice careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
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 →