Criminal Justice at UEI College-Garden Grove

Garden Grove, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Criminal Justice and Corrections

a compact campus enrolling 1,093 students in Garden Grove, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,663 place UEI College-Garden Grove below the $39,484 national median for Criminal Justice — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $29,663 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #403 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, UEI College-Garden Grove falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $33,255 are relatively flat compared to the $29,663 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
60
Score
62
High End
Earnings $29,663/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$338K
2.9% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,255
12% 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

See the full career breakdown for Criminal Justice — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from UEI College-Garden Grove and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at UEI College-Garden Grove

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does UEI College-Garden Grove's Criminal Justice program score?
This program scores 60/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Criminal Justice programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Is UEI College-Garden Grove a good choice for Criminal Justice despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at UEI College-Garden Grove may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Criminal Justice?
Yes — 17 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Criminal Justice career paths, including Correction Officer. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at UEI College-Garden Grove.
How many job openings are there for Criminal Justice graduates?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. UEI College-Garden Grove graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →