Criminal Justice at Victor Valley College

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

serving 12,107 students in Victorville, CA.

Program Analysis

At $31,600 per year, Criminal Justice graduates from Victor Valley College earn below the $39,484 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 184.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Criminal Justice career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Victor Valley College ranks #117 among 469 Criminal Justice programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $31,600-to-$52,752 earnings arc over five years reflects a 67% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 17 apprenticeship pathways connected to Criminal Justice reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
80
High End
Earnings $31,600/yr (-20% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$555K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
194.6x
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)
$2,850
Out-of-state: $20,250
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,752
67% 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 Victor Valley College and 468 other schools.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Victor 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Criminal Justice at Victor Valley College?
This program scores 78/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Criminal Justice nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Victor Valley College one of the best schools for Criminal Justice?
Ranked #117 of 469 programs nationally, Victor Valley College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Why are Criminal Justice earnings lower at Victor Valley College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Victor 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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Criminal Justice program at Victor Valley College?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Victor Valley College?
At 480,600 annual openings, Criminal Justice has a very large employment base. Victor Valley College 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 →